Colwyn Bay Pier’s repair bill could fall on the tax payers

Mar 4 2010 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

Victoria Pier, Colwyn Bay

THE company responsible for managing Colwyn Bay’s Victoria Pier says it has no funds to repair the structure – raising fears a multi-million pound repair bill could fall on tax payers.

Conwy County Council has now stepped in to pay for a structural survey on the crumbling pier following speculation its condition has become dangerous.

The cost of the survey will run into thousands of pounds, only a fraction of the total repair bill for the pier – estimated to be millions – which could now fall on cash-strapped Conwy County Council.

The pier has stood neglected without general daily maintenance and repairs for over 18 months and the pier’s former owner, Steve Hunt, who still lives on the structure, has warned metal support railings could fall on those using the beach below at any time.

Locked in a battle since the summer of 2008, legally the pier is the responsibility of trustees Royce Peeling Green (RPG).

Rod Wythenshawe is the director of Manchester-based RPG. Mr Wythenshawe conceded the insolvency company didn’t have the funds to repair or even maintain the pier and said they were currently meeting with Conwy County Council.

“We are waiting for the results of the structural survey. We have a meeting with Conwy County Council, until we have that meeting I don’t really want to say anything,” he said.

“It is an asset in the estate of Mr Hunt. At the end of the day if someone wants to buy the place we can look at that, if the council want to repair it, we can look at that – they are paying for the survey, as we have no funds to do it.

“Until someone has the funds, either the creditors or the council, we can’t do anything. Once we have got the survey we can have a look at what to do at the next stage.”

It is believed the derelict structure is in such a bad condition it would cost millions just to stabilise its deterioration – never mind fund its restoration. The beach below is a popular spot for amblers, dog owners and families and last month Clwyd-West MP David Jones feared a passer-by could be fatally injured.

Mr Jones said Conwy County Council was not in a financial position to pick up RPG’s tab of making the pier safe: “My understanding is to make the pier safe you are probably talking a million or so. To restore it would cost significantly more- maybe £5-6 million. Given that Conwy are trying to make cuts of millions they certainly haven’t got £5-6 million to throw at the pier.”

Colwyn Bay councillor Chris Hughes speculated over where responsibility of the pier, a hugely a negative asset, might fall: “I would like to the pier restored and I can understand tax payers might not want to fund that, but the council’s cabinet will have to look at that once the structural survey is complete, they will have to look at that and see if they wish to take it forward.”

The extent of the damage is to be assessed over the next month, but Conwy County Council has refused to reveal the cost of the exercise stating it is commercially sensitive information at this moment.

richard.evans