Image
The funding, announced yesterday (Thursday 19 March), marks a significant milestone for us bringing renewed optimism that the historic structure can be fully restored and reopened as a landmark heritage attraction.
The additional funding will enable further work on both the landside and island buildings, while also supporting ambitions to restore the north jetty. Once completed, the Grade II* Listed pier is expected to become a heritage and visitor attraction of national importance.
Work on the site is already progressing. Contractor Smith & Brenson is currently undertaking initial works on the landside, with further repairs and renovations to the island buildings and north jetty planned once access along the pier is secured.
A huge 400 tonne jack-up barge arrived this week creating a stable, elevated platform for the restoration work on the pier structure led by contractor Mackley.
Further repairs and renovations to the island buildings and north jetty are planned once access along the pier is secured.
We have also signed an agreement with Somerset Wood Recycling to give a new lease of life to wood salvaged from the project.
The partnership aims to create a circular sustainability process. Wood recovered that can’t be reused on the project will be turned into items which will go on sale at the new shop to be housed in the Pier Master’s Cottage. All income generated from the sale of these items will be reinvested in the day-to-day maintenance of the site.
The restoration of Birnbeck Pier and Island has been made possible through a combination of funding sources, including the UK government, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, National Heritage Memorial Fund and Historic England.
With this latest award, total external funding secured for the project now exceeds £44m, underlining the national significance of restoring the iconic pier.
The funding is ring-fenced specifically for the Birnbeck project and cannot be used for other services such as social care, children’s services or road maintenance.
For more information about the restoration project, visit our website.
Photo credit: Steve Robinson, Studio Four Architects.