'Fabulous' pier to be repaired after storm damage

Work is set to begin repairing a West Sussex pier which was damaged by a storm in 2024, it has been announced.

Worthing Borough Council (WBC) said its engineers will work with structural experts on a plan to fix the damaged section of the town's pier over the course of next year.

The local authority says it has identified funding of up to £900,000 for the project.

Work will be carried out during summer and autumn 2026 when the weather and tides are more favourable, WBC says.

Worthing Pier will remain open during the works, the council says.

Worthing Pier was closed in October 2024 after a storm damaged its supporting piles leaving it unsafe.

The Victorian pier, which opened in 1862, was fixed with a temporary steel support and reopened that December.

WBC leader Sophie Cox said next year's repairs will "secure our fabulous pier for the years to come so that the tens of thousands of visitors who come to Worthing annually will be able to enjoy it".

She says the local authority is also investing in the West Sussex town's seafront and centre to make them "more attractive".

The Art Deco pier was dubbed the best in Britain in 2019.

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