Southport Pier still closed to the public as its unsafe. Golf buggies are fine though

Southport Pier has been closed since the middle of December last year after frost and ice allegedly damaged the decking. The council boarded up the entry points and that is how it still remains.

It was declared unsafe to walk on by the council.

A Sefton Council Spokesperson said:  ‘As we said when the closure was announced, 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.

‘We appreciate this is a frustrating time for people working on and around the pier but we are sure that they, like the council, wouldn’t want any members of the public or their colleagues put in any risk of harm by venturing onto the pier in current conditions.”

Judging by the photo taken today the decking can't be in that bad a condition as two men were seen driving a large golf buggie up and down. The average golf buggie weighs in at 1000 pounds. So if its safe to drive a golf buggie along the Pier then why is it closed to the public?

Recently a Councillor was overheard at a meeting saying the Pier could be demolished.

Following reports in local media concerning Southport Pier, Conservative Group Leader, Mike Prendergast has spoken about his party’s concerns regarding this crucial part of Southport’s offering.

Councillor Prendergast said, “Like everyone in Southport, I am very concerned about the current state of our iconic pier, and the fact that it still remains shut as we enter the crucial summer season. Many local businesses rely on the pier to bring in visitors and increase footfall.

We are now at a point where it is potentially unsafe and is still closed to the public. £3 million has been allocated to repair the wooden boards, but the entire structure now appears to have been neglected and is in need of urgent repairs as otherwise works regarding the wooden boards would surely have started.

The Council has been approached for an update.