Repair works to Bournemouth Pier delayed by a year
Bournemouth Pier will only start getting fixed next September, a year later than expected
Essential restoration works to Bournemouth Pier have been delayed by a year, despite nearly £20m in government levelling up funding awarded to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council for seafront projects.
Almost half of the £19.9m allocation was earmarked for the Grade II-listed pier, with repairs originally scheduled to begin in winter 2024.
However, BCP Council confirmed earlier this year that work will now not take place until 2026 at the earliest.
Anthony Rogers, head of seafront services at BCP Council, said the tender process had been extended after engagement with contractors, with bids running until September 2025.
“There is no change to the timeframe for the work to start,” he said.
The project is expected to extend the pier’s lifespan by 25 years, with planned works including major concrete repairs, corrosion prevention technology, and the removal of ageing timber landing stages.
Council officials stressed that the delay would not affect funding, with levelling up money still ringfenced for the pier.
Other projects supported by the £19.9m package include cliff stabilisation works at East Cliff and a new base for Bournemouth Lifeguard Corps.