Safety work at derelict pier (From The Argus)

Safety work at derelict pier

7:50pm Wednesday 4th March 2009 in

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Machines have rolled in to remove remains from the West Pier because of safety fears.

A walkway suspended above the beach at the derelict Brighton attraction has been taken down and the wooden decked land end has been fenced off from the public.

Rachel Clark, manager of the West Pier Trust, said: "Our consultant engineers have recommended we do something about these issues for safety reasons."

She said the walkway was put up in 1996 as a temporary access to the pier but has not been needed since a fire in 2003 wrecked the structure and has not been properly maintained.

She said: "It was not about to collapse but there had been issues with teenagers climbing on it."

In 2006, two rowdy drunks had to be hauled down by police.

The whole walkway has been removed, including a gate surrounded by barbed wire, but the supporting piles remain.

The gantry has been of little use since the pier was destroyed by the suspected arson attack in 2003.

Mrs Clark said she was aware people would be disappointed to be banned from the decked area above the promenade which has been fenced off.

She said this week's work should not be taken as an indication the trust was winding up and added that a series of tours every Sunday at 11am were an indication of its commitment.