Southport Pier closed due to safety concerns as cold weather has caused ‘significant damage’

Southport pier has been closed to the public over safety fears after cold weather caused “significant damage.”

Sefton Council has issued the closure notice effective immediately as a result of the extreme weather.

According to a statement released by Sefton Council as well as “significant and unavoidable damage” to decking boards of the pier created by the cold conditions, ice from coastal winds has built up on the surface of the pier making conditions “treacherous” and slippery.

A series of inspections were carried out by the council and contractors during the past two days which ultimately led to the decision to close the pier until further notice.

With numerous repairs over the history of the 160 year old structure, in 2018 extensive repairs and repainting works were carried out to the Pier’s steelwork to combat corrosion from the sea.

The pier is due to undergo extensive refurbishment work, after Sefton Council announced plans for a £3m project to replaced over 53 miles of decking along the 160-year-old structure.

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “Council officers and contractors had hoped to ensure the Pier remained open to the public during these works.

“However the current extremely cold weather, which has seen temperatures so low that the sea at Ainsdale and Birkdale froze in places, has caused additional damage to the decking.

“Moisture within the planks and joists has frozen causing the decking to lift away from its fixings and we are concerned this could present a safety issue to anyone attempting to walk down the pier.

“The decking has also become incredibly slippery, meaning it is treacherous to walk on.

“While we do not take this decision lightly, the temporary closure of Southport Pier is wholly necessary to keep people safe.

“We fully appreciate this may come as a blow to concessionaires on and around the pier however we are confident that they, like the council, would not want anyone to be put at risk of harm by venturing onto the pier in current conditions.”

Southport Pier will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. Regular inspections will take place and updates will be shared in due course.