Quarter of Birnbeck Pier deck restored as public returns after 30 years
A quarter of Birnbeck Pier's replacement deck is complete, letting the public walk on it for the first time in 30 years, with the rest due by next summer.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Restoration work on Birnbeck Pier in Weston-super-Mare has reached a milestone, with a quarter of the replacement deck now complete.
The first stretch of restored walkway has opened to the public. It is the first time people have been allowed onto the pier in 30 years. The pier had been in disrepair for decades. One visitor said the new deck felt solid, and another said it was a fantastic moment that brought back memories of walking there as a child in the 1970s.
Progress and funding
The team behind the project hopes to finish the rest of the walkway by next summer. They say they are fully confident that the work is on time and on budget. The project is backed by lottery players' good causes money. Supporters say it will restore pride in Weston and support local economic growth.
The build is difficult because crews work with the tides, often six on and six off, including weekends, depending on the tide. Weather also affects the crane, which cannot operate above 15 metres per second. The original piles are being repaired, while the bracing around them, the spans between them and the decking are new. About 20% of the decking is recycled timber.
If progress continues, the pier is expected to reopen to the public next summer. Work will then begin on restoring the buildings on the island itself.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| The Birnbeck Pier project team says the work is on time and on budget. | |
| The completion milestone allowed the public to walk on Birnbeck Pier for the first time in 30 years. | |
| The replacement walkway at Birnbeck Pier is reported to be one quarter complete. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC ONE West led on the local milestone and the first public access to the pier in 30 years. Its tone was upbeat and community-focused, with confidence from the project team that the work is on time and on budget. It also gave space to construction details and the funding case, but did not include criticism, cost figures, or dissenting voices.
- “There is a lot of excitement here this morning by everyone who's gathered here because they have hit a bit of a milestone.”
- “At the moment, 100% confident. We're on time, we're on budget.”
- “It's a fantastic moment, the first official steps on the pier.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.