£9.5M to be spent on repairing Bournemouth Pier
The council believe the “iconic” pier attracts tourists each and is worth preserving
Almost half of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s Levelling Up Fund will be spent on preserving and improving Bournemouth Pier.
£9.5M of repairs to the timber landings and concrete pillars are expected to extend the life of the pier for another 15 years and without this investment the pier would be at risk of closure.
Deputy leader of BCP council, Cllr Millie Earl told us: “The pier is a really iconic landmark in Bournemouth, and we need to make sure it's protected. It's very old and it needs some work to repair it to make sure that it lasts a lot longer.”
Other schemes include stabilising East Cliff and potentially developing nine beach-based restaurants between Boscombe Pier and Bournemouth West Cliff.
Cllr Millie Earl added: “We’re trying to find a reason for people to visit lots of our beaches rather than just all congregating around that central Bournemouth point.”
This is part of BCP council’s ‘seafront strategy’ which looks to make other beaches more attractive for tourists.
Cllr Millie Earl said: “We rely on seafront tourism a lot, it’s one of the largest generators of income that we get as a council so it's really important to us that each of our different beaches has that offering so that people have lots to do and see when they come down to this region.”
The remainder of the ‘Levelling Up’ fund will go towards stabilising East Cliff, ensuring there is no risk of a landslide, and then reinstating a new lift.
There are also planned upgrades to the promenade between Boscombe Pier and West Cliff including cycle infrastructure, public seating, bins and two new public toilet blocks.
Council leaders are set to sign off on approving the delivery of the £19.994million programme, which officers say will achieve benefits of more than £100million.
All of the projects must be completed by March 2025.