3:22pm Monday 8th February 2010
In answer to your question of whether the West Pier should be put to rest (The Argus, February 4), I have long believed that the “pier island” should be left as a ruin. Once the current clear-up is finished it will look even more iconic.
From what I have been told, the basic substructure is sound and will last for years. It is too dangerous to allow anyone on to it.
My view is that it should be left to nature by inducing plant growth in some form. This could be “sprinkled” on from above and birds left to inhabit it.
Naturally, how to do this would have to be researched but I am sure there will be a practical answer. My other idea is to build a new, modest pier at Hove, which would enable boats from the Marina to dock and allow passengers to disembark. This would stimulate more regular use of the boats for transport.
Richard Coleman,
Citydesigner, Lower Grosonover Place, London
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