Worthing Pier Re-opens

Worthing Pier has reopened to visitors after almost two months of emergency work to make it safe for the community again.

After work by Worthing Borough Council engineers, maintenance teams and contractors, the pier reopened to the public today after a temporary steel structure was designed, built and installed underneath to help support it.

The pier’s businesses have also been able to open to customers today for the first time since 9th October, when storm damage forced the temporary closure of the pier on safety grounds.

Work to maintain and preserve the pier is an ongoing effort. As well as continuing with routine maintenance, council teams will carry out frequent checks on the new steel support structure over the coming months to ensure that it has all the bracing it needs to do its job under constant pressure from the tides and the weight of the pier.

Engineers will also work with contractors to identify exactly what is needed for a permanent repair for the pier.

The Council say that during the last two months there has been widespread vocal public support for investment in the seafront. The council hopes to harness this passion and positivity by recruiting residents, business leaders and community groups.

They would work alongside council officers and councillors to develop a blueprint to safeguard the pier, Worthing Lido and other key heritage sites along the coastline to ensure future generations continue to enjoy these assets for the next 25 years and beyond.

Cllr Sophie Cox, the leader of Worthing Borough Council, said: “The outpouring of support for our work to reopen Worthing Pier has been amazing.

“It’s clear from people’s comments that they want us to use the same energy to retain and improve our heritage sites like the pier, the lido and other sites along our wonderful seafront for future generations.

“As a council for the community we want our residents, businesses and community organisations to work alongside us to make a new vision for our seafront a reality."

The details of the new approach are currently being developed but the Council say it will involve finding innovative ways to maintain, improve and fund the town’s seafront over the decades to come.