WORK has begun to restore Weston's historic Birnbeck Pier.

Earlier this year, the pier site was purchased by North Somerset Council, who have pledged to restore it to its former glory.

Given the size and complexity of the project, it is expected to take several years to complete.

They will be aided in this mission by the RNLI. Their first focus will be on carrying out urgent repairs and restoration work to the buildings and structures that make up the site. 

The legs of the pier will also be repaired and there will be a partial restoration of the deck. Funding for this will come from grants from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Historic England. This will start in 2025.

Restoration work to the landward side buildings will be delivered in 2024/5 as the project successfully secured some of the government’s Levelling Up funding.

A later part of the project will see the other buildings and structures on the island restored. The site will then be more open to Weston residents and visitors.

These works will be part funded by a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This funding is currently supporting the development phase of the works and North Somerset Council will be applying for a grant of £4.2m for the next phase of the project.

If secured, works are expected to take place in 2026 and 2027.  

The RNLI also hope to build a new lifeboat station on the site.

Once complete, the site will be managed by the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust.

The architects and engineers appointed include Marbas Civil and Structural Engineers, TNG Consulting Engineers, McNaughts quantity surveyors and many more.

Cllr Mark Canniford, executive member for spatial planning, placemaking and economy at North Somerset Council and local ward member, said: “We’re delighted to have worked with partners to appoint the design team who are now working up fuller plans to progress the restoration works as quickly as possible."

Adrian Carey, RNLI head of Region for the South West, added: “The restoration of the pier will allow the RNLI safe access to the Island to progress with the plans to build a new, permanent lifeboat station."

Cllr John Crockford-Hawley, North Somerset councillor and heritage champion, concluded: "It’s a big and challenging project but we’re excited to finally see plans we’ve envisioned for years finally start to progress."