New chapter begins in the story of Worthing's seafront
Released: Wednesday, 04 December 2024
Worthing Pier has reopened to visitors after almost two months of emergency work to make it safe for the community again.
Thanks to a huge effort by our 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 2024, 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, our 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.
During the last two months there has been widespread vocal public support for investment in the seafront. We hope to harness this passion and positivity by recruiting residents, business leaders and community groups.
They would work alongside our 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 can 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.
“We can't do it on our own with the resources we have, but with the support of our amazing community and beyond, we can breathe new life into our town.”
The details of the new approach are currently being developed but it will involve finding innovative ways to maintain, improve and fund the town's seafront over the decades to come.
As well as the pier, investigation work has been carried out at the lido in recent weeks to provide more information about the structure. Worthing's seafront will be under increasing pressure from the effects of climate change going forward, so this will be a key factor when options are considered. We will share the summary results of the lido investigation activity when it is complete, to help shape our future plans.
In the coming weeks we will provide more information about the different ways people can get involved in this long-term project.
To read about how we have been repairing the pier, see:
Photo: Worthing Pier
(PR24-086)
Page last updated: 20 December 2024