Saltburn Pier will be closed to the public after routine inspections identified important safety improvements.
More than a hundred decking boards will be replaced on the grade II* structure, along with existing redundant lighting and cabling from the underside of the deck. A Redcar and Cleveland Council cabinet report outlining the planned £22,000 spending required said that not carrying out the improvements would contribute to its deterioration and also increase the health and safety risk to visitors.
The council said its highways operatives would replace the boards, but there was also the need for a specialist external rope access team to assist with the fastening mechanisms of the boards on the underside of the pier deck. The new boards are said to be sustainably sourced and made of “marine grade” tropical hardwood.
A council spokesman said it was expected the repairs will take place next month, however this was subject to weather conditions which would be monitored. He said: “The work will involve replacing boards and removing redundant lighting.
“The closure of the pier will be kept to a minimum and it is hoped there will be restricted access when safe to do so. The repairs are expected to take three weeks to complete, weather permitting.”
The Victorian built iron pier, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2019, has endured many severe storms over the years and was subject to major restoration work in 1978 and 2000. The report described the attraction as well-used and said the latest repairs would ensure continued access to it moving forward.
It is the only remaining pleasure pier on the North-East coast and the most northerly pier in Britain.
A separate £600,000 scheme being financed by the Tees Valley Combined Authority is delivering what the council has described as a “visible uplift” to the foreshore at Saltburn over coming months. This includes replacing railings on the Lower Promenade and Marine Parade which are in need of repair and renewing street furniture.
Changes to bus stops and pedestrian crossings at the bottom of Saltburn Bank to assist traffic flow and make the area safer for pedestrians are also in the offing.
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