PART OF PIER IS NOW OUT OF BOUNDS TO THE PUBLIC

A STRETCH of West Hoe pier remains out of bounds to the public over safety fears - but there may be light at the end of the tunnel, or at least secure steps and the end of the stairs.

- By CARL EVE

In November 2024 Plymouth businessman Neal Stoneman raised his concerns about the pier, taking pictures of holes in the wall, blocks which appeared to be ready to fall out and missing steps.

He told The Herald he feared parts of the pier would soon crumble into the sea “if they don’t carry out some urgent repairs to the main structure.”

In reply, Plymouth City Council said it had commissioned a survey of the pier and was examining the findings’ recommendations, but in the meantime the steps from the pier to the sea were closed “as a precaution to ensure public safety.”

It was not until June this year that the council confirmed it had been left with little choice but to fence off an arm of the Grade II listed structure, built in the 1880s, as parts of it had become unstable. The authority said it would remain out of bounds until work was completed.