The battle of Hastings Pier (From The Argus)

The battle of Hastings Pier

3:25pm Sunday 12th December 2010 in News By Rebecca Evans

Video: After a devastating arson attack stripped Hastings Pier almost bare in October, few people thought the iconic structure could be saved.

However, the 138-year-old pier seems to have weathered its most difficult time and now appears set to be restored.

The Hastings Pier and White Rock Trust (HPWRT) hopes that, funds permitting, the revamped structure will be open by spring 2013.

It will be a long road to recovery but campaigners seem to have cleared their biggest hurdle.

The Argus was allowed on to the pier.

Initially, seeing the charred timber, crumbling buildings and scaffolding is a shock but Hastings Borough Council, the trust and Best Demolition, the company brought in to make the pier safe after the blaze, have done a remarkable job.

The council has paid about £250,000 for work to make the pier more secure.

Despite being hampered by tides, wind and, more recently, the snow, Best Demolition is ahead of schedule to clear dangerous debris from the pier and work should be finished by the end of next week.

Rescue boats were stationed underneath while work was carried out because the structure was so dangerous in places.

Scaffolding has also been installed to support damaged lattice trusses on the east side of the pier.

Two teenage men, both from St Leonards, are on bail after being arrested on suspicion of arson.

They are both due to return for further questioning next month.

For more information on the pier or to volunteer, visit www.hpwrt.co.uk.