• Works will last until Mid-February 2024
• Contractors will remove some damaged decking boards
• Further detailed analysis of Steel structure 
• Results will allow for repair works to begin as soon as funding secured

Extensive exploratory and investigative works will begin on Southport Pier next week as Sefton Council continues its efforts to refurbish the iconic attraction.
 
Civil engineers A E Yates have been appointed by the Local Authority to oversee the works.
 
Contractors will be on site from Monday, November 20th to begin extensive exploratory and investigative works which will ultimately guide the larger refurbishment project. 
 
A contract for the main refurbishment works to the whole pier is due to be issued for tender within the next two weeks.
 
Sefton Council continues to progress the project as far as possible while at the same time looking to secure a long term funding solution for the capital works and ongoing maintenance required.
 
The Local Authority’s aim remains to be ready to start the works as soon as possible after the required funding is secured.
 
This phase of the project is expected to last until mid-February 2024 and see a significant section of the Pier’s damaged decking removed as well as further assessments of the integrity of both the Pier’s cast iron columns and steel structure.
 
Costing Sefton Council hundreds of thousands of pounds, the exploratory works have been planned to commence as soon as possible following the appointment of A E Yates earlier this week.  
 
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, welcomed the works by saying: “As promised we have been working extremely hard behind the scenes to ensure all pre-construction work is carried out and completed to ensure we have a fully costed and detailed project ready to go should funding become available.
 
“We are working with the contractor to ensure they are able to get on site and begin the exploratory and investigating works needed to guide the wider refurbishment.
 
“This is by no means a small task and will involve significant work to further understand the current structural integrity of the Pier.
 
“While these work are being funded entirely by Sefton Council we are still actively seeking support from other bodies and organisations and will continue to ask for help to restore our iconic Pier.”
 
Mick O’Hanlan, Contracts Manager for A E Yates, added: “A E Yates ltd are proud to be appointed for this preliminary stage of the refurbishment of Southport Pier.
 
“The Pier has been a big family attraction for many of our employees and families, and we are looking forward to being part of the team helping to deliver the refurbishment of the Grade II listed structure and the second longest pier in the country.” 
 
As custodians of this iconic structure, Sefton Council has reiterated its complete support towards the full refurbishment of Southport Pier.
 
However, the Council simply does not have the budgets required to fulfil these works without help, and we strongly believe that a nationally significant heritage asset such as this should have national funding allocated for both the project and the ongoing maintenance thereafter.
 
In order to address this significant funding gap, the Council is continuing to progress engagement on an ongoing basis with potential funders and stakeholders.