Hopes of reopening Hastings Pier within three weeks have been dashed after a fresh safety inspection revealed it could cost £1 million to make the structure safe.

Pier owners Ravenclaw vowed to have the pier back in full operation soon by repairing serious corrosion on the decaying landmark.

However, a report commissioned by Hastings Borough Council this week said designing a temporary support for the foyer area would cost up to £100,000 and building it would cost a further £500,000 to £1 million.

A council spokesman said: "Our experts advise that it would take some time to design the temporary structure needed to support the pier and considerably longer to erect it.

"Even if the owner is able to make an immediate start on the work, there is little prospect of the closed section of the pier reopening in the near future."

Ravenclaw representative Harmesh Pooni said: "This is a shocking revelation. That £1 million figure is grossly in excess of what our engineers tell us. But fine, if it is going to cost that we will put in 75 per cent, perhaps they will put in 25 per cent and let's get this done.

"We believe we can do it in three weeks but clearly the council does not. I have to ask whether they really want the pier open because they have been very obstructive.

"They seem to want to close the pier to save face and are vigorously sticking to their guns even though closing the pier was not necessary."

Currently the front apron of the pier, which houses a number of cafes, bars and other businesses, remains open.

Mr Pooni said: "We will have to reconsider that in the light of the council's stance and consider whether we can afford to keep any of the pier open."

Consulting engineers Gifford of Southampton confirmed the council's claim that the central section of the pier is "considered to be very vulnerable to progressive collapse".

Traders on the pier had to vacate their businesses with just a few minutes' notice at the height of the tourist season a fortnight ago when a council inspection found parts of the structure were seriously corroded and in danger of collapsing under the weight of visitors.

Hastings Borough Council paid for the extra inspection following a meeting at the Town Hall on Monday between council leader Peter Pragnell, council officers, Mr Pooni and Michael Foster MP.

A council spokesman said: "This is obviously very bad news for those who were hoping that the bulk of the pier would re-open quickly.

"We are still waiting for the pier owners to present their proposals for the repairs necessary to allow the pier to reopen. We will obviously consider these as soon as they are received.

"We have already met representatives of the pier traders and explained the position to them.

"We have also contacted pier traders individually to see what their needs are, and are working hard to find alternative accommodation for them for the vital summer season."

Responding to Mr Pooni's offer, he said: "We have not had any offer of this kind directly from Mr Pooni but as a council we are always open to discussions and are happy to meet him."

Friday, June 30, 2006