Major work to restore historic pier set to begin

Long-awaited restoration work on a historic pier is to begin later.

A 100-tonne crane is being transported to Birnbeck Pier in Weston-super-Mare in the first major step of a £20m programme of repairs.

The Grade II structure has been closed for more than 30 years due to safety concerns, and has since been battered by storms, partially collapsed into the sea and has become too unsafe for the former resident RNLI lifeboat crews to use.

A spokesperson for Mackley - the contractor bringing the crane to the pier - said they would work closely with North Somerset Council to secure the "iconic landmark".

Birnbeck, known locally as 'The Old Pier', is the only pier in the UK to link to an island - a small, rocky piece of land known as Birnbeck Island.

Work has already started on the land-side of the pier to renovate the buildings, while 1888 boat house, the clock tower pavilion and landside cliff face - all of which are on the island - were also stabilised in 2024.

The restoration plans date back to 2006, but have been repeatedly shelved over the years due to changes in ownership and financial concerns.

North Somerset Council - which bought the pier in 2023 - almost scrapped the restoration project in September 2025 after the RNLI backed out of the plans.

However, the National Lottery Heritage Fund stepped in shortly after to fill the £5.5m gap.

Andy Bosman, project manager at Mackley described the pier as a "nationally significant historic structure," adding that contractors would be taking a "phased and considered approach" to the restoration.

North Somerset councillor Mark Canniford, who is responsible for the project, said the upcoming work was "exciting".

He also thanked the public for their patience and added that the pier works were expected to be completed by summer 2027.

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