The restoration of Birnbeck pier is ‘full steam ahead’ after funding of over £5m is delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
An investment of over £5.5m has seen North Somerset councillors vote in favour of the restoration project at a meeting on Tuesday this week.
The pier’s future has been in question after the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) withdrew from the scheme in July, but a contract has now been awarded to civil engineering contractor Mackey following the closure of the funding gap.
According to the council, over £20m of external funding has now been acquired to support the project, with the local authority also pledging to provide capital funding to allow for a ‘responsibly and sustainably’ delivered scheme.
Cllr Mike Bell, Leader of North Somerset Council, said: ‘We are incredibly grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Put simply, this lifeline has saved the day.’
Cllr Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council's cabinet member responsible for the Birnbeck Pier project, added: ‘Just a week ago we faced the prospect of closing the pier restoration project down. Today, it’s full steam ahead.’
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