Historic Buildings

Birnbeck Pier: Rescue

The project will rescue the Grade II* Birnbeck Pier, reconnecting the mainland to Birnbeck Island. It will unlock the restoration of Listed buildings on the Island and mainland and create a nationally significant visitor destination via the ‘Back from the Brink’ sister project. It will allow the RNLI to return to the Island to optimise lifesaving and facilitate the conversion of the 1902 lifeboat station into a visitor centre. The Pier Rescue project will see the removal of the dilapidated Pier deck and much of the bracing ironwork before its restoration and reinstatement. Feasibility, design and pre-tender engagement with a contractor is complete and we have a detailed method, programme and cost for the project. This process has made it clear that the project will cost significantly more than previously anticipated but it also gives much greater certainty around cost and reduces risk.