New Pier

[Kev]

THE first new pier in the UK for 50 years is being proposed for New Brighton.

The famous Wirral pier could be rebuilt, almost three decades after it was dismantled. Wirral Council is commissioning a feasibility study into recreating the landmark from the resort’s heyday, in what would be only the second new pier in the UK since World War II.

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It comes as the seaside town begins to look forward to massive redevelopment following the approval of a major two-part scheme to revitalise it.

The old Floral Pavilion theatre has been demolished and work is progressing on re-building the popular venue as part of the £17m first phase of development.

An outline planning applica-tion for a £45m second phase was approved by the Planning Committee in October.

Local councillor and cabinet member for regeneration, Pat Hackett, said the proposed pier would be “the icing on the cake” for the resort, whose redevelopment he has championed for many years.

Cllr Hackett has worked closely with the council’s preferred developer for the resort, Neptune, and managed to bring together many of those opposed to its original plan, after it had been rejected following a public inquiry.

He said:“Now the NWDA have indicated they would be prepared to fund the feasibi-lity study, which is absolutely phenomenal news.

“If it were to go ahead, it would have all sorts of knock-on effects for New Brighton.”

Cllr Hackett said they would also hope to reinstate ferry trips between Liverpool and New Brighton.

He said: “This is great news for New Brighton, and fully vindicates our approach to revitalise the resort after so many years spent in the doldrums.” A special report, added late to a Wirral Council’s cabinet meeting, said “a pier was orig-inally a part of the Neptune plans but was deferred in terms of the main develop-ment scheme due to the need to examine the feasibility of such a structure”.

The £210,000 study will be done in two parts, with engin-eers assessing flood risk, eco-logical impact and planning factors.

The report is by deputy chief executive of the council Jim Mr Wilkie, who added: “The target area for the study will be in the waterfront area of Victoria Road, alongside the position of the old pier, on land owned by the council, though other possible sites may also be examined.”

Last night, an NWDA spokeswoman said: “The Agency has agreed in principle to fund a feasibility study into the economic viability of a new pier and a landing stage for the area.

“This is subject to the submission of a formal bid and a full appraisal of the scheme.”

Liverpool Echo and Daily Post

[Waterways]

They had better check if the Mersey barrage is still on, which it appears to be. Well it hasn't gone away, as the Mersey and Seven rivers can give 6% of the UKs electricity by tide.

[gregs dad]

[IMG][/IMG]

Do you think it will ever come back to this Kev ?

gregs dad

[lindylou]

That's a great picture it really shows how the pier looked. I've got a couple of old photos with the pier in the background but very little of it is showing.

[Kev]

'tis an excellent picture

[Norm NZ]

Great Pic! and fond memories for me, I remember dancing on the pier back in the 50s!!! Cheers All

[wallasey]

here
This video from You Tube shows the downfall of New Brighton in the last 40 years. Some of you may remember the old scenes of around the waterfront. The video also shows previous plans for the resort.

(just click the image, it will load up in a new window then!)

[chippie]

Thanks for that mate, a cracker little film full of memories

[chippie]

I,ve just pulled out of an album this old photo of my dad and Uncle Ronnie Red and little old me on the pier at New Brighton.

[Paul D]

Cllr Hackett said they would also hope to reinstate ferry trips between Liverpool and New Brighton.

This would be great!! I can't wait until the new lido is built aswell,the kids will love it and in Winter it'll be turned into an ice rink.