Worthing Pier temporary closure
We have had to temporarily close Worthing Pier for the safety of the public while we carry out emergency repairs. This page has been created to give you a fuller picture of what is happening and why. We'll update it regularly so you always have the most up-to-date information about the situation. We are doing everything possible to get this unique and precious asset back into a safe state where people can enjoy it again.
What's happened
On 4th October 2024, our engineers identified that one of the iron piles that support Worthing Pier was damaged.
The pile was on the east side of the pier, just to the north of the southern pavilion. The middle of the pile had been broken, which we suspect was caused by a large piece of floating debris during severe weather.
Photo: Damage to Worthing Pier - the snapped pile before it was removed
Our contractors removed the damaged pile and since then we have been working on a plan to replace it, when the conditions are safe enough for us to do so.
Photo: Damage to Worthing Pier - the gap when the snapped pile had been removed
The advice we have received from independent structural engineering experts is that there is a risk to public safety if people are allowed to continue using the pier in its current condition. The safety of the public is our priority so we have therefore temporarily closed the pier while it can be made safe to use again.
We are requesting that no one walks beneath the pier at this time, in addition to any watercraft including boats and paddleboards. We've written to local fishermen and harbour authorities about this.
We carry out regular quarterly inspections of the pier and we believe this is the first time in more than 25 years that such an event has happened.
We're grateful for everyone's patience. We know how frustrating this is but as we've said, keeping everyone safe has to come first. We are doing everything possible to get the structure back into a safe state where people can enjoy it again.
What we've done
We brought in our pier substructure maintenance contractor as soon as we discovered the issue and also secured further advice from independent national engineering experts HOP Consulting about the structure, its safety and the required repairs. HOP Consulting has a good working knowledge of Worthing Pier, having carried out a comprehensive inspection for the council in 2018. HOP Consulting has also worked on a number of piers and similar structures around the country.
HOP Consulting sent us an interim report which made it clear that there was a risk to the public if we allowed the pier to remain fully open. The safety of the public is our priority so we therefore closed the pier on the evening of 9th October.
On 4th October we had alerted the businesses on the pier about the potential that we could need to close the pier on safety grounds, which we confirmed to them on 9th October. We had visited those businesses that were open on 8th October.
HOP Consulting submitted its full inspection report of its findings. In summary, the report confirms the need for the pier to be closed until it has been made safe.
One of the biggest challenges is that the work can only take place at a spring low tide, when the tide goes far enough out for us to do the work safely. The first such set of tides began on Tuesday 15th October and runs until Sunday 21st October but because of supply issues our contractors were unable to get the work done in that period.
Unfortunately while we were examining the piles on either side of the one that we had to remove, we discovered that they had suffered damage which was hidden from view. We believe this was caused by the extra strain they are currently under from the weight of the pier.
We have stabilised those piles but the damage they have suffered means we need to carry out more work to mitigate the strain on them.
We've given daily updates to our rate-paying tenants on the pier since 7th October as we understand how damaging the closure is to their businesses. We're continuing to explore how we could provide more assistance to them while they cannot operate as usual.
Separately, we liaised with the Worthing Lions about the use of the pier for their annual 5th November fireworks display, but together had to make the decision to cancel the event because there was no suitable alternative venue available.
What is happening now and in the future
Our teams are working hard with our contractors and suppliers to repair the structure, but as with any unique heritage asset, this is a dynamic situation as further investigations are continuing while work is being carried out.
The next set of spring low tides begins on 14th November, when our contractors will start more extensive work to support the structure. Our ambition is that once this work has been completed we will be able to reopen the pier to the public.
Latest updates
Two steel trusses now stretch across the width of the pier, sitting on steel beams that are in turn resting on the six piles that were driven into the seabed last week.
An intensive welding and bracing operation is underway to fix the components together so that the new steel structure can support the weight of the pier in that section.
Unfortunately the bad weather of the last 24 hours has hindered progress by significantly reducing the length of the low tides, so we will need more time to complete the work.
Photo: lifting in the southern truss
Photo: the two trusses in place
Work on Worthing Pier has continued over the weekend and today, both in daylight and in the dark.
Over the weekend and today our contractors have done a lot of bracing and welding to the six new piles and the supporting beams that now sit on top of those piles.
The next step involves fitting in place the long steel trusses that will stretch under the width of the pier, fixed to the beams on top of the piles.
Photo: the bearing beam works underway
Photo: preparing for the bearing beam, west side
Photo: lifting the bearing beam into place, west side
Photo: welding the bearing beam, west side
With all the steel piles now in place, today’s work has involved cutting them so they are all exactly the same height above the beach.
The team also began capping and bracing the piles, welding steel tiles and supports between them to give them extra strength before the beams are placed on top of them.
The components for the steel trusses which will sit on top of the piles across the width of the pier are also now on site. Over the weekend they will be assembled at the compound ready for installation.
Photo: the steel trusses which will be installed on top of the piles to support the pier
Photos: aerial views of the works on the pier
It's been another very productive day for our contractors, with one pile being fitted early this morning and the final three piles this afternoon.
From tomorrow the six piles will be cut to exactly the same height so that the rest of the new steel structure can be fitted to them to support the pier.
Additional materials and machinery will be delivered to our contractors' compound on the seafront tomorrow, which may need to be extended slightly further into the promenade. The promenade will however remain open to the public.
Photos: piles being driven into the seabed next to the pier
Our contractors have successfully installed the first piles next to the pier as part of the new steel structure that will help support it.
After first scanning the ground to check its stability, the engineers drilled the first two of six holes either side of the pier in which new 15-metre piles will sit. Both piles were then driven into the seabed until only a third of each was left above the surface of the beach.'
The remaining four piles will next be driven into the seabed so that the supporting structure can be built on top of them.
Photos: piles being driven into the seabed next to the pier
Tomorrow afternoon during the spring low tide our contractors plan to begin work on the temporary fix on the pier.
The work involves driving six 15-metre steel piles into the seabed either side of the pier, and then fitting steel support beams and a 16.5-metre steel truss on top of them.
This new temporary structure will take the weight of that section of the pier and allow us to remove and replace the damaged piles.
Today more equipment and materials have been brought to our contractors' compound between the pier and the lido in readiness for the work beginning.
Photo: equipment and materials in the compound west of the pier
Equipment and materials are building up in our contractors' compound ahead of our urgent work on the pier this week.
That process will continue tomorrow as our contractors ensure they have everything on hand to begin the construction of the additional temporary support for the structure.
We intend to install the first additional temporary pile next to the pier on Wednesday afternoon, as the next series of spring low tides begins.
Photo: equipment in the compound west of the pier
Our contractors have set up their new compound between the pier and the lido today, in advance of the next stage of the project next week.
This work on the additional temporary support for the pier can only be carried out when the sea has gone out far enough for our contractors to work safely on the site which, weather permitting, should mean activity can begin by the middle of next week.
The promenade remains open but has had to be narrowed temporarily so that the equipment and materials can be stored in the fenced off area effectively.
Photo: compound being assembled west of the pier
We're gearing up to start work on the additional temporary support for the pier, with the ambition being that this will provide access to the public.
Our contractors are finalising the plans to ensure they have all the materials and equipment to hand and that their teams know exactly what needs to be done on site.
On Friday fencing will be put up around a section of the beach and promenade between the pier and the lido which the workmen will use in addition to the usual compound, for the materials and larger equipment required for this work.
The promenade will remain open but will be narrower than normal while the work is carried out. We will keep disruption to a minimum but there may be some noise during the work unfortunately.
The pier remains closed and no one should be accessing it until it has been made safe.
After carrying out their investigation work, our specialist structural engineers have been working on plans to undertake a temporary support during the next spring tide (mid-November) that will hopefully mean that we can at least partially reopen the pier to the public.
Last week our contractors were working hard to stabilise the piles near to where the pier suffered the storm damage that forced us to close it earlier this month. That damage meant we had to remove a broken pile to the south of the central pavilion, which has put extra stress on the other piles.
Unfortunately while we were examining the piles on either side of the one that we had to remove, we discovered that they had suffered damage which was hidden from view. We believe this was caused by the extra strain they are currently under from the weight of the pier.
This means that the temporary support to the pier is likely to be more substantial than initially thought, but we are hopeful that they will allow for partial reopening of the pier. This temporary support is due to be carried out in the next tidal window, which is due from 14th November, and is necessary so that our contactors can safely work underneath the pier to complete inspections of the structure and carry out the permanent repairs.
We will know more when our engineers provide us with a full plan for the temporary support and inspections required to understand the permanent repair next week and we will update you on these plans on our website.
We're continuing to keep the businesses affected by the closure updated, with regular conversations about what we're doing, why, and how we can help them. We're working with them to explore possible ways that we can support them while the work on the pier continues.
Photo: engineers under the pier inspecting the structure and piles
Our contractors have now completed their work to provide extra stability to the piles where that section of the pier has been damaged.
We're now working with structural experts on the repair plans and to secure the parts we need to secure the supports further during the next tidal window in November. We're still hopeful of being able to find a way to reopen the pier to at least a limited number of people before a full repair can take place.
Press release: Worthing Pier not safe to reopen for November fireworks display
Following on from their work over the weekend, our contractors have today been continuing to stabilise the piles near to where the storm damage happened.
They were on site early this morning and will be there again later this evening while the conditions are still safe enough for them to work.
Our engineers are also continuing with their investigation work at the southern end of the pier and scheduling some ongoing repairs in the sections of the pier closer to the beach.
There have been photos shared on social media that some people are suggesting highlights a lack of maintenance of the pier. In fact, each of those issues had already been identified on our most recent routine inspections, risk assessed and booked in for repair.
It's common for supporting ties to need to be replaced, and we do this regularly as part of our routine maintenance programme.
Our engineers have been continuing their investigation work underneath the pier today to get a more detailed picture of the stability of the structure.
Over the weekend that work will continue. Our contractors will also be on site over the weekend during the spring low tides undertaking routine maintenance works and stabilising the piles near to where the storm damage happened.
Questions you might have
Q. How did the pier get damaged?
A. We believe one of the iron piles that supports the structure was damaged by a large piece of floating debris which has struck the pier during severe weather. We believe the neighbouring piles then suffered further damage caused by the additional strain they were under from the weight of the pier.
Q. When did it happen?
A. We suspect it happened in the days running up to 4th October 2024, during severe weather.
Q. How did you find out?
A. Our engineers carry out regular checks on the pier. On 4th October 2024 they identified that one of the iron piles that support the pier was damaged.
Q. Why has the pier had to close?
A. After we discovered the damage, we sought independent advice from national engineering experts HOP Consulting about the structure, its safety and the required repairs. That advice was clear that there was a risk to the public if we allowed the pier to remain fully open. We therefore closed the pier on the evening of 9th October.
Q. Could the pier collapse?
The advice that we have received does not suggest that any part of the pier structure is likely to fail in the near future. However, the absence of the damaged pile means that the weight of the pier is putting extra strain on the remaining piles, which increases the risk that one or more of those piles could be damaged. We are not willing to risk anyone's safety so the pier will remain closed until we are confident it can be used safely.
Q. What do you need to do to fix the issue?
A. We need to replace the damaged pile and to secure it to the piles that sit alongside it so that they together form a strong support for the pier. In the interim, we plan to provide more support for the pier with the ambition of being able to reopen it soon. Unfortunately we cannot complete that repair until the next set of spring low tides from 14th November 2024, when the tide will go out far enough out for us to do the work safely.
Q. When will the pier reopen?
A. At this stage we cannot be certain, although we are working as hard as possible to open it as soon as we can when it is safe to do so. The safety of the public has to be our priority.
Q. What are you doing to help the businesses on the pier?
A. We understand how difficult this situation is for the businesses on the pier, especially the fact that we can't be certain when they will be open to operate as usual again. We're giving daily updates to our tenants on the pier and responding to their questions.
We're also exploring if there are ways that we could provide more assistance to them while they cannot operate as usual.
Q. How much maintenance do you do on the pier?
A. Our engineers carry out regular inspections of both the pier's decking and the substructure underneath.
The pier's timber decking is inspected every month. Timbers are replaced on a rotation basis, as sections reach the end of their 25-year lifespan. At the same time as this work is being done we also examine the substructure of the pier underneath and clean and repaint any trusses or deck beams to give them greater protection from the elements. If the trusses or deck beams are not in a good condition they are removed and replaced.
The substructure of the pier is inspected quarterly and any necessary repairs are carried out. The way we carry out these inspections was independently assessed in 2018 by HOP Consulting, which said that this approach was keeping the pier in a good overall condition.
There have been some inaccurate comments made on social media that have implied that we have reduced our maintenance of the pier. In fact, we have continued to increase the amount we spend on reactive maintenance for the pier over recent years.
Over the last two financial years (from April 2022 to March 2024) we have spent £450,531 on maintenance and repairs to the pier. By comparison, we spent £339,586 in total over the previous three years (from April 2019 to March 2022).
Q. How much is this going to cost the council to resolve?
A. Based on the information we currently have (as of 17th October 2024) we have a budget for repairs to the pier which will go towards the cost of the repairs needed. However we fully expect that the overall cost of the identified work will be in excess of £100,000, which we may need to find from our other budgets.
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Page last updated: 20 November 2024