multimillion

This pier is undergoing restorations after being closed for decades

A long-neglected pier is currently in the midst of a multi-million-pound restoration project, with the aim of welcoming visitors back through its gates within the next few years. The Grade-II listed Birnbeck Pier first opened its doors in 1867, remaining in operation for 127 years before being shut down in 1994 owing to serious safety concerns.

Situated in Weston-super-Mare, the pier held the unique distinction of being the only one in the entire country to connect the mainland to an island — a small, rugged outcrop known as Birnbeck Island. In the years following its closure, the island continued to serve as a base for the RNLI to launch lifeboats; however, this too came to an end in 2014 when the pier was declared too hazardous.

Before that, the island had been requisitioned by the Admiralty during World War 2, serving as a top-secret facility for weapons testing.

Once the pier reopened after the war, it never truly recaptured its former glory, and changed hands numerous times amongst various private owners.

A lack of upkeep eventually rendered the pier unsafe, leading to its closure to the public in 1994. Since 1998, it has featured on the National Heritage at Risk Register.

Restoration plans were initially drawn up back in 2006, but were repeatedly shelved following successive changes in ownership.

The pier has since been acquired by North Somerset Council, and with the help of £5.5million in National Lottery funding, restoration work has now got underway.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that an extra £62,120 had been secured from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, administered by Historic England.

Following the announcement of this additional funding, Councillor Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council’s cabinet member overseeing the Birnbeck Pier project, said: “It’s great that Historic England has been able to top up our initial grant application.

“This additional money has allowed us to instruct specialist contractors to restore the entrance gates and turnstiles and install important design features on the southern Toll House to honour Eugenius Birch’s original design.

“I’m very much looking forward to seeing the flag flying at the entrance to the pier in celebration of work once it’s complete next summer.”

A NEW multi-million-pound waterfront park is set to open today – and it’s three times larger than London’s Trafalgar Square.

Visitors will be able to walk across a 55-metre bridge from the High Street to the revamped riverside.

Stockton-on-Tees‘ Waterfront Urban Park is set to be unveiled today (June 20), as part of the council’s vision to regenerate the struggling town centre.

The £23million project will bring a “dynamic space for events, leisure and community life” to the area, where residents will be able to enjoy three separate play areas, event spaces and even a skate spot.

The focal feature of the park is a 21,000sq ft amphitheatre designed for live events, which connects the upper and lower sections of the park via 402 granite steps.

Ten-metre play towers, an oval lawn and facilities that can accommodate pop-up food and drink vendors are also key landmarks in the area.

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The history of the town centre has also been integrated into the space, with text, poetry and illustrations featuring Stockton’s heritage carved onto floor and wall surfaces.

Activities for children include a toddler trail, swings, climbing nets, trampolines and “exhilarating” slides connecting the amphitheatre to the riverside.

The waterfront space features sweeping views of the River Tees, and more than 17,000 plants have been installed from over 224 species.

The entire project, completed by contractors Esh Construction, cost more than £41million, which included the demolition Castlegate Shopping Centre and the Swallow Hotel.

Building began in December 2024, and now the opening will take place as part of Armed Forces Celebration Day.

Councillor Paul Rowling, the deputy leader and cabinet member for resources and regeneration, said: “Stockton Waterfront urban park is going to have a transformational effect on the borough, the wider Tees Valley and beyond.

“The Waterfront Park is set to be a catalyst for further investment and drive our ambitions for the future. This is only the beginning of that journey.”

The project has been named “one of the most ambitious regeneration projects in Europe” in a bid to help revitalise the deprived market town.

A NEW pool is set to open in Warwickshire – and it is on the site of some medieval ruins.

Located at Abbey Fields in Kenilworth, the new multi-million attraction will feature two indoor pools, a changing area and a “conservatory-style” cafe.

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One pool will be the main training pool, measuring 25-metres-long and will host most of the swimming lessons, lane swimming, family swimming sessions and aqua fitness classes.

The other pool will be more family-friendly and accessible measuring 15metres by eight metres and will also have a movable floor that reaches a depth of 1.8metres.

For some added family fun, this pool will also have interactive spray and splash features.

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And for disabled swimmers, there will be a ‘pool-pod’ lift to get into the pool as well.

Work at the site was set back six months after medieval ruins were discovered in 2023.

In total, at least five buildings were discovered as well as ceramics, both dating back to the 13th century.

The new pool will open to the public on July 11 and be open each Monday to Friday from 7am to 9pm, and 7am to 5pm at weekends.

As for the cafe, visitors will be able to grab a range of drinks, snacks and light meals as well as sit outdoors looking over the parkland.

According to the BBC, Councillor Jim Sinnott said: “Having recently been shown round the new building and having seen the fantastic features and spec, I really can’t wait to see the new pools finally open for all in our community to enjoy.”