Worthing Pier: Further damage discovered to structure

Worthing Pier was forced to shut on October 10 after storm damage was discovered to one of the structure’s underside supports.

Structural engineers have been working on plans for a temporary support to be put in place during the next spring tide in mid November, with hopes that this would allow for the pier to be reopened partially to the public.

Worthing Borough Council has now warned further damage was uncovered during recent inspections and the support will have to be more substantial.

Work is still expected to begin on the temporary measure in mid November.

“Our contractors were working hard to stabilise the piles near to where the pier suffered the storm damage that forced us to close it earlier this month,” a council spokesman said.

“That damage meant we had to remove a broken pile to the south of the central pavilion, which has put extra stress on the other piles.

Engineers under Worthing Pier (Image: Adur and Worthing Councils)

“Unfortunately, while we were examining the piles on either side of the one that we had to remove, we discovered that they had suffered damage which was hidden from view.

“We believe this was caused by the extra strain they are currently under from the weight of the pier.

“This means that the temporary support to the pier is likely to be more substantial than initially thought, but we are hopeful that they will allow for partial reopening of the pier.”

The council said the temporary support is due to be carried out in the next tidal window, which is due from November 14.

“We will know more when our engineers provide us with a full plan for the temporary support and inspections required to understand the permanent repair next week and we will update you on these plans on our website,” the spokesman said.

“We're continuing to keep the businesses affected by the closure updated, with regular conversations about what we're doing, why, and how we can help them. We're working with them to explore possible ways that we can support them while the work on the pier continues.”

The closure devastated Perch on the Pier and fellow restaurant Tern with both having to shut their doors suddenly.

Tern has now relocated to East Beach Café in Littlehampton and is offering limited dinner services to help mitigate the financial implications of the shock closure.

Perch has another site in Beach Parade, Worthing, and in Lancing and Eastbourne.

The pier’s closure has also seen the cancellation of the much-loved Worthing Lions fireworks display on November 5.

Council leader Sophie Cox said last week: “We know how disappointing this will be both for the Lions and the many thousands of people across the borough who come out to enjoy the fireworks each year, but keeping people safe must come first.

“We’ve worked closely with the Lions to try to find an alternative location but this is such a huge event and we’ve had so little time that it has been impossible.

“Our teams are continuing to work hard with our contractors to get the pier reopened as soon as it is possible to be sure anyone going on it will be safe.”