Iconic pier on Anglesey set to undergo £180,000 renovation works to tackle rust and peeling paintwork

The ongoing Coronavirus lockdown will see Anglesey Council bring forward a £180,000 maintenance programme for an iconic pier.

Beaumaris Pier, originally built in 1846, was revamped and repaired in 2012 as part of a £5.6m project to secure its future.

But subsequent rusting and a deterioration of paintwork on the pier’s railing and approaches – blamed on the continuous exposure to saltwater – has seen planned maintenance works brought forward to take advantage of the current lockdown.

With extensive sections of underlying metalwork being exposed, Anglesey Council plans to start the work next week in order to minimise the disruption to businesses.

A report, to be presented to the council Executive on Monday, described the current lockdown as an “opportune time to undertake the work without any disruption to the businesses that use the pier,” and set to last for four months.

Work on the £180,000 project will begin on Monday as scaffolding and a covering are erected around the pier, allowing the railings to be cleaned before repainting starts towards the end of the month.

The covering will also stop contaminants being released in to the Menai Strait in line with the Marine Licence approval received from Natural Resources Wales.

Interim Head of Regulation and Economic Development, Christian Branch, said: “We’ve been planning these works for a number of years and the Coronavirus crisis did initially cast doubt over this important maintenance project.

“All works will be carried out in line with the appropriate safe working guidelines and, given the current lockdown, now is an opportune time to undertake the work without any disruption to the businesses that use the pier.

He added, “Not doing the work now would undoubtedly have led to greater deterioration of the structure and higher costs in the future as the project cannot be completed during colder autumn and winter months.

“The work should take around four months to complete and will ensure that Beaumaris Pier is refurbished and again looks in fantastic condition.”

According to the council, the necessary consents needed to undertake the work have now been secured, with a contractor ready to start the work next week.

Economic Development portfolio holder, Cllr Carwyn Jones, added, “Beaumaris Pier is an iconic structure which is an important draw for the town and wider Island.

“Coronavirus has indeed dealt the local economy a significant blow, but I hope that the pier’s restoration will play an important role in ensuring Beaumaris and wider Anglesey is ready to capitalise on the eventual safe return of visitors, whenever that may be.”

He added, “We will also make every effort to support businesses who rely on the pier as the work progresses and as the current lockdown is eased by the Welsh Government.”

By Gareth Williams – Local Democracy Reporter