Public to have say on new pier’s location

Bridport Pier Working Group members Leonie Johnston, Billy Millwood and Marg Perkins.

March 13, 2024

By Rachel Williams

Bridport’s long-awaited new public pier will this month move a
step closer to reality, with community consultation set to start on three possible locations for the multi-million dollar project.

Construction of a 126m long recreational pier could start later this year and be finished before the middle of next year.

MAST has engaged Burbury Consulting to assess options and undertake stakeholder engagement to work through the pros and cons of the possible locations.

Project Manager Nigel Palfreyman said the three possibilities for the pier were adjacent to the Old Pier, at Croquet Lawn Beach and nearer to the Trent Water river entrance.

“We need to review any potential land and marine based issues that could affect the design and usability of a pier at each nominated location,” Mr Palfreyman said.

“Concept designs will be presented and stakeholder feedback and engineering input used to help in the detailed design of a pier.

“We will have engineers assess alignments, depths of water and tides to enable a pier to be used by the public
for swimming, fishing, taking in the
views etcetera, we will also look at the aesthetics and how this interacts with each site and the surrounding area.

A public information session will be
held on Thursday, March 28, from 4pm-6pm at Bridport Hall, before Easter holidays start.

“It is really important to get community and stakeholder feedback on the project
so that we can complete the final analysis for the preferred pier location,” Mr Palfreyman said.

“We have been talking with and have organised meetings with the Bridport Pier Working Group and other locals that have a significant interest in the area, the
Dorset Council, to get their insights and we will need to talk to the Surf Life
Saving Club and other community organisations too.

“We will also have an on-line survey for people to complete.

“We thought the day before Easter holidays might also capture some holiday makers and recreational users of the Bridport area to give their thoughts.”

Once the consultants finish assessing public feedback, an assessment will be provided to MAST before detailed designs are completed.

“It is likely that the pier will be completed in the 2024-25 financial year,” Mr Palfreyman said.