Southport Pier and High Tide

Image Details

Southport Pier showing high tide. 

Keywords	Southport, pier, high tide
Location	Southport
Photograph Date	c1900
Photograph ID	NS_P23_41
Comments	Southport Pier is the oldest remaining iron pier in the country and officially opened on August 2, 1860, with much ceremony and excitement. James Brunlees was engaged to design the pier and in 1862 waiting and refreshment rooms were added for boat passengers. It was upgraded to a cable-operated tramway in 1865 and another extension in 1868 which increased the length to 4380 feet. Storm damage and fires reduced the length to the present 3633 feet and made Southport Pier the second longest in Britain. The pier received a designated Grade II listing in 1975 and fell into a period deterioration however, various funding sources were found including a Heritage Lottery grant , European Merseyside Objective, with contributions from Sefton Council and the Southport Pier Trust. Restoration included the main structure and the construction of a new pavilion, and this work was completed in May 2002.