Hastings Pier ranked the UK's most at risk
Hastings Pier has been named the most at risk pier in the country.
The derelict Victorian structure was singled out by The National Piers Society as the most likely to fall foul of collapse or demolition out of the 55 piers across the country.
This means, according to experts, Hastings Pier is in more danger than either Western Super Mare's fire ravaged Grand Pier, or Brighton's skeletal West Pier.
At the height of their popularity, there were 101 piers in England - all built between 1814 and 1957. Now though just over half are left - and 10 of those are now closed to the public, including ours here in Hastings.
The once popular attraction was closed back in July 2006 after a council inspector casting his eye over the underside of the pier was nearly struck by parts falling off.
With pop band The Kooks set to play a sell-out gig in the pier's ballroom, health and safety officials took the drastic decision to close it to the public.
Since then, the pier has remained shut and has fallen into further disrepair. The latest quote estimates it could cost as much as 17million to make it safe.
Owners Ravenclaw Investments Ltd remains uncontactable at its HQ in Panama and Hastings Borough Council is reluctant to invoke a compulsory purchase order and get lumbered with the costly repairs.
However, far from a further blow, members of the Hastings Pier and White Trust - the community group which hopes to one day take over the running of the attraction - say this latest news is positive.
The trust's spokesman Jess Steele said they remained confident the pier could be saved, saying: "It is true that Hastings Pier is the most at risk pier in the UK, but the silver-lining is it is also the most rescue-able pier in the UK, if the right action is taken in time."
Pulling off that rescue bid could prove to be difficult. Colin Dawson, the chief executive of The British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions said: "One of the issues is currently a privately-owned pier can obtain no assistance to maintain the structure of the pier, which of course is critical to its well-being.
"I think it's a decision for the Government to take - if it is serious about wanting to preserve our seaside heritage, then it has to come forward with some way of assisting."
The news that the pier is the most at risk further weight to the Observer's Save Our Pier campaign. Our online petition urging Hastings Borough Council to act has already received 2,285 signatures and dozens more are being added every day.
What do you think about the ongoign saga? Have you signed our petition? Who do you blame for the state of the pier? Leave your comments below.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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