Fleetwood Pier To Be completely Demolished

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Fleetwood Pier To Be completely Demolished

Postby mrjimlowe » 27 Sep 2008, 00:54

Here is a report from the Fleetwood Weekly News:
http://www.fleetwoodtoday.co.uk/fleetwood/Pier-to-be-demolished.4533281.jp

The entire structure of Fleetwood Pier is to be demolished.

A statement by Wyre Borough Council said: "The difficult decision to remove what remains of the fire-ravaged structure was made today following visits earlier in the week from English Heritage and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) combined with the findings of a structural engineer's report."
All parties are in agreement the structure is too unstable and has deteriorated to a point where it cannot remain.
A report, prepared on behalf of pier owners Simmo Developments, advises the concrete platform at the very end of the pier should also be demolished.
"As a result all parties have now agreed the remainder of the historic structure should be removed in the interests of public safety," the statement added.
"All of the cast iron columns have already been removed along with any hazardous material on the site.
"Work has also begun to demolish the main pier building which bore the brunt of the fire.
"It is expected that the site will be completely cleared within two to three weeks.
"In the meantime the whole site, including access from the beach, will be cordoned off."
The pier was devastated by a blaze on September 9.
Police are still investigating the cause of the fire which is still being described as "unexplained".
Although no evidence of foul play has yet been found, detectives are not ruling out arson.
Earlier this week the pier's owners, Simmo Developments, who are headed by Blackpool entertainer Joey Blower, put up a substantial reward for information from anyone who knew how the fire started.
Today's official announcement was feared ever since it was discovered the metal columns which supported the much-loved boardwalk were damaged beyond repair.
Garry Payne, director of planning and regeneration for Wyre Council, said: "Regrettably, the demolition of the complete pier structure would now seem the only course of action available.
"The structural report presented to the council was presented with concluded that the remaining elements were in such poor condition that they needed to be removed for safety reasons."
Council leader Coun Russell Forsyth added: "Complete demolition of the pier is an outcome very few people would have wanted, but our first priority has always been to ensure the safety of the public.
"A very difficult decision had to be made.
"However, it was taken following full and frank discussions with building experts who have all shared the same view."

Date: 26 September 2008

Source. Fleetwood Weekly News
Regards

Jim Lowe

Website and Forum: http://www.northwestseasidetowns.co.uk
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Postby EAS » 27 Sep 2008, 08:58

Very sad news indeed.
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Postby mrjimlowe » 28 Sep 2008, 01:38

Hello

Demolition of the Concrete platform at the end of the pier is now complete and it will probably be all gone in a week at this rate. Here are some pictures from today 27/09/08. You can see the condition of the metalwork underneath.:

Image

Image

Image
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Jim Lowe

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Postby Gary » 28 Sep 2008, 12:25

I get really sentimental looking at these photos. Thanks for posting them.

5 years ago I posted on here about Fleetwood - Family and I had just spent a week's (very) welcome break in the area and I came away feeling positive for a rather neglected area of the Fylde Coast.

http://www.joylandbooks.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=167

Gary
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Postby mrjimlowe » 28 Sep 2008, 19:57

I returned to Fleetwood on Sunday 28/09/08 and the structure is now all down. They appear to have done the big 'pushdown' early in the morning.
Here are some pictures. Web page, galleries and video coming soon:

Image

Image

Image

Image

As it happens, I was intending to take pictures of the pier about 3 weeks before the fire, but I postponed it due to bad weather.
Regards

Jim Lowe

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Postby mrjimlowe » 05 Oct 2008, 12:35

Hello

I have uploaded the first of the Pier demolition video's to Youtube. This is the first one from 20 September:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=G7FzdihI3QA
Regards

Jim Lowe

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