News & Media
22nd August 2024
COMMUNITY SAFETY NOTICE: NORTH AND SOUTH PIERS REMAIN CLOSED
Restoration of the North and South Piers has made significant progress, but for safety reasons, the piers remain closed until work is complete. Recent vandalism and unauthorised access have caused delays and increased costs, prompting consideration of 24/7 security. The piers are vital both for guiding vessels into the River Tyne and as cherished community landmarks, and we are committed to restoring them to their former glory. We appreciate the public's patience and cooperation in respecting safety barriers to ensure a timely and safe restoration.
Following our update in April this year, we’re pleased to say that the restoration works at the North and South Piers have taken a significant step forward. Until the restoration works are complete, for the safety of the public and contractors working on the sites, the piers will remain closed.
Whilst the works are progressing as planned, we’d like to stress the importance of cooperation from the public following a spate of vandalism and unauthorised access. As well as perpetrators putting their own safety at risk, this has also put the safety of contractors at risk and caused delays to the project. As a result, the Port is investigating 24/7 security at both sites, increasing the cost of the restoration.
We know the piers mean a lot to the public and we’re committed to restoring them to their former glory. As well as the key role they play in safely guiding vessels from the North Sea into the River Tyne, they are enjoyed by the local community and have been fished off and strolled upon for decades. As Grade II listed heritage assets, we want to get the restoration right, make them safe again and push on with the works while the weather window allows.
A lot of progress has been made so far, appointing specialist contractors with the right experience and skills and there is a solid plan in place. Phase one works are well underway and we’re pleased to have planning permission for the next phase.
We understand that it’s disappointing for the piers not to be accessible, but we are asking members of the public for their patience, cooperation and understanding while the works are ongoing. Live construction sites are unsafe for the public, it’s important that the safety barriers are left alone, and the sites are not accessed to maintain safe environments. Ignoring the barriers can add costs and potentially delay the return of public access.
We understand that it’s disappointing for the piers not to be accessible, but we are asking members of the public for their patience, cooperation and understanding while the works are ongoing. Live construction sites are unsafe for the public, it’s important that the safety barriers are left alone, and the sites are not accessed to maintain safe environments. Ignoring the barriers can add costs and potentially delay the return of public access.
The initial storm damage last October was substantial to both piers. Wave heights of up to 9 metres and winds of up to 70 knots saw large sections of stone walls, handrails, block paving and coping stones washed into the sea. Steps and pavements were badly damaged as well as both lighthouses, with the South Pier lighthouse losing its roof entirely.
