Garth Pier

Garth Pier is a Grade II listed structure in Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales. At 1,500 feet (460 m) in length, it is the second-longest pier in Wales, and the ninth longest in the British Isles.

Garth Pier

Official name	Garth Pier
Carries	Pedestrians
Spans	Menai Strait
Locale	Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales
Designer	J.J. Webster
Owner	Bangor City Council
Total length	As built: 1,550 feet (470 m)[1] Current: 1,500 feet (460 m)[2]
Opening date	14 May 1896
Toll	50p per person (20p concessions)
Coordinates	53°14′18.58″N 4°7′26.76″W

Construction

Designed by J.J. Webster of Westminster, London, the 1,550 feet (470 m) pier has cast iron columns, with the rest of the metal structure made in steel, including the handrails. The wooden deck has a series of octagonal kiosks with roofs, plus street lighting, which lead to a pontoon landing stage for pleasure steamers on the Menai Strait.[1][2]

History

Opened to the public on 14 May 1896, the ceremony performed by George Douglas-Pennant, 2nd Baron Penrhyn. A 3 ft (914 mm) railway for handling baggage which had been included in the design, was removed in 1914.[2]

The pontoon handled the pleasure steamers of the Liverpool and North Wales Steamship Company to/from Blackpool, Liverpool and Douglas, Isle of Man.[1] In 1914, the cargo steamer SS Christiana broke free from the pontoon overnight,[1] and caused considerable damage to the neck of the pier. A resulting gap to the pontoon was temporarily bridged by the Royal Engineers, that remained until place until 1921 due to the onset of World War I. By this time, additional damage had occurred, and repairs took a few months over the originally envisaged few weeks.[2]

Threat of demolition

In 1971, the pier closed on safety grounds, with ownership being passed to Arfon Borough Council in 1974. The council took the immediate decision to demolish the pier, but Bangor City Council objected, obtaining a Grade II listing for the structure, with the planning officer considering it one of the three finest surviving piers in Great Britain.[1][2]

Purchasing the pier for a nominal 1p in 1975,[3] in 1982 renovation, undertaken by Alfred McAlpine commenced, taking until 1988 to complete. Financial assistance was given from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Welsh Office and Manpower Services Commission. The pier was reopened by George Paget, 7th Marquess of Anglesey on 7 May 1988.[2]

Present

The pier in August 2018

Now Grade II* listed, the pier is free to access, but there is an honesty box at the throat requesting that each walker contribute 50 pence to the pier's upkeep. The pier gates remain open until 9 pm in summer, with pre-booked night fishing available.[1]

Due to its location and length, at low tide the site is a haven for local seabirds to access the rich mud of the Menai Strait, allowing close viewing of oystercatchers, redshanks, curlews, little egrets and the occasional cormorant.[4]

The kiosks, including the one at the end housing a traditional seaside tearoom, which is presently closed due to the continuing work, have been rented out to local small businesses. The kiosks presently house small but popular cafes, artist studios and a kiosk supplying crabbing and fishing gear. One kiosk was formerly used by the Bangor branch of the Soroptimists.[4]There are also seats along the promenade, with memorial benches to RAF Group Captain Leslie Bonnet and writer Joan Hutt.

It was announced in August 2017 that major restoration work would take place at a cost of £1million, as the Pier has not received any major maintenance works for many years and is now in need of a refurbishment. The last restoration and renovation programme was in 1980s. The work will be funded by Bangor City Council and is likely to take up to three years to complete. Initially, the pier remained fully open to the public during the restoration works. However, following a structural report which found the pier head to be in a dangerous condition, it was closed to the public on a temporary basis in June 2018[5]. The bulk of the pier is now accessible. However, increased costs meant that completing work to the pier head is continuing. As of May 2020 the pier head is closed to the public.

Historically, dogs were never allowed on the pier, but following a trial period it was decided that the ban would be abolished[6].

References

1. "Bangor Pier". National Piers Society. Archived from the original on 13 January 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
2. "Bangor Pier". theheritagetrail.co.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
3. "Bangor Pier". BBC Wales. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
4. "Bangor Pie r". northwales.co.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
5. "'Dangerous' pier to partly shut for revamp". BBC News. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
6. Trewyn, Hywel (27 September 2017). "Dogs set to return to Bangor pier after councillors vote to overturn ban". northwales. Retrieved 2 June 2018.

External links

• Bangor Pier @ National Piers Society