Anger in famous UK seaside town as ‘abandoned’ pier cut off from beach and left to rot
Locals in a famous seaside town are complaining about an "abandoned" pier left to decay out in the sea.
Many are calling for urgent action to restore to its former glory Herne Bay pier in Kent, with residents saying its decaying remains are a "blot" on the landscape.
Pictures show the once bustling pier, which was first opened in 1899, now looking frail, weathered and abandoned in the North Sea.
Some people fear that it may only be weeks or months away from collapsing into the sea.
The pier, once the second-longest in England, used to captivate tourists and was a popular spot for several decades.
However, a devastating flood in 1978 followed by storms in February 1979 hugely damaged the pier.
The remaining structure was dismantled for safety reasons in 1980, with the pier now standing isolated in the sea.
Debbie Holland, 68, a retired HR executive who lives in Herne Bay, told the Daily Mail: "It's sad. It was once so lovely. It's been like that for years though. It just looks like they have dumped it into the sea. It's awful.
"It's really unique and would be an amazing project if someone could restore it to its former glory and get it back in use. It would transform the area.
"You've got hundreds of people playing on and enjoying the beach today and they are looking out at something which looks miserable."
One local said: "I would love to see it restored."
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Canterbury City Council, the authority in charge of the landmark, maintains that it is in a "reasonable condition with a level of corrosion and deterioration you would expect for a maritime structure of its age with no routine maintenance".
Herne Bay is a popular place for Brits looking for a cheap staycation by the beach.
One Tripadvisor user wrote: "Beach is beautiful it’s a pebble beach, the pier was great lots of fishing huts selling gifts, food and a few rides".
Another said: "Lovely beach! Calm, quiet and looked after. Beautiful gardens up on the front before hitting the pebbles. Walk further along the coast and they’re almost private beach areas, with the sea defences in place. Really lovely area."
