Update given on permanent repair for Worthing Pier

In October 2024, Worthing Pier was suddenly closed because of storm damage to one of the structure’s underside supports

A temporary steel support structure was put in place underneath the weakened section of the pier, which was reopened two months later.

Worthing Borough Council said the examination of the supporting piles and the steel support structure began this week. This will determine what needs to be done to repair the pier.

Council engineers could be seen on the seafront with structural experts from Mackley and HOP Consulting excavating the concrete foundations of the broken pile.

Excavation of Worthing Pier this week (Image: Worthing Borough Council)

The council announced in December that it had found £900,000 in funding for a permanent repair, which will be carried out in the summer and autumn “when the weather and tides are generally easier to work in”.

In February, The Argus reported that more than £668,000 of the £900,000 is from money that had been previously allocated to introduce an automatic sprinkler system on the pier to improve fire safety. 

A remaining £275,000 has already been approved in the council’s 2026/27 budget.

Worthing Pier (Image: Worthing Borough Council)

The sprinkler scheme is not deemed to be essential, although a report on the issue suggests it would “undoubtedly improve the fire safety of the southern pavilion” on the pier. 

The pier currently has a manual fire safety mechanism in place, and the most recent fire risk assessments say the current system remains sufficient for statutory compliance.

“We intend to carry out the repair work required this summer and autumn, when the weather and tides are generally easier to work in,” the council said.

“The hope is that this will mean the work will be able to be completed more quickly and more cost effectively, with the pier able to remain open at the same time.”