Another reason to knock down the West Pier

[perseus]

In the House of Commons at question time a northern MP mentioned that some areas of the country are getting more lottery grants than others. This was because his pet project didn't get a grant because Camelot did not have enough money to go around.


This is not actually true (that his region was not getting tis fair share), but it does mean that this factor could be taken into account.

It is always maintained that each project is assessed on its merits without regard to what other local projects get the dosh.

I am not sure if I am nieve enough to believe this. If the West pier gets a huge wad, it could be argued that this will mean less money for other projects in Sussex?

 

[CHAPPERS]

The West Pier should NEVER be knocked down.

Fight the good fight, keep the West Pier ALLLIIIIIIIIVVEE

 

[Marc]

knock down the rusty piece of and buld a state of the art complex for the future! move forward people....stop living in the past!

 

[tedebear]

crabbers shame on you - it is a magnificent piece of history that should be restored to its former glory.... smack on your wrist!!

 

[Easy 10]

knock down the rusty piece of and buld a state of the art complex for the future! move forward people....stop living in the past!

Ahhh HAAAA
I think we have our PRIME SUSPECT for the mysterious fires which kept breaking out on the West Pier last year.
Crabtree. Where were you on the night of.....

 

[tedebear]

Ahhh HAAAA
I think we have our PRIME SUSPECT for the mysterious fires which kept breaking out on the West Pier last year.
Crabtree. Where were you on the night of.....

Good thinking Easy10 !!

Crabtree - do you have a speedboat??

 

[Marc]

I was...eeerrr...'peering' through a window at 'Victoria' who was abit 'rusty' on the piano so I opened the window and offered a glass of 'salt water' to ease the tension but she refused and 'lit up' a cigarette instead before phoning her old man who was out fishing on his 'speedboat'....so in conclusion....no I was down the pub drinking

 

[Lush]

knock down the rusty piece of and buld a state of the art complex for the future! move forward people....stop living in the past!

Totally agree Crabbers. (My sea-faring lilo is yours for the paddling any time you like).

 

[desprateseagull]

knock it down!

if its sooo imprtant, why has it been left to the elements
(and arson?) for over 25 YEARS??

was there no inurance cover at the time, for repairs
or rebuild? mysterious fires, storm damage etc recently
hasnt helped it case, even with promised lottery $$$,
the trust seems to be dragging its feet.

its an eyesore, danger to beach users, shipping,
and the longer its left, the more it will cost to remake-

anyoe know how long it took to build, in the first place??

come on argus people, lets have another pointless readers vote.

 

[desprateseagull]

p.s.

i bet the trust / council regret not selling to chris eubank now...

was it because he is black..?

 

[perseus]

The West Pier was designed by Eugenius Birch. Construction began in March 1864 and was opened in October 1866.

There was a slight problem though. The pier wobbled and had to be closed because the original design was a bit naff. Then new piles were built.

It was not so much designed as built by trial and error.

Some notes:

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/BMLSS/WestPier.htm

Comments:

http://forums.thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=107&whichpage=2

 

[brighton rock]

re build it and stick a football stadium on it,end of problem?

 

[driddles]

Knock it down.. Talk some Las Vegas businessman into building a 'Pier Casino'. Then you can all go to Vegas and see what the pier might have looked like.

Knock it down and that god forsaken ugly grey hotel (Hilton? Hyatt) - it must be the most horrid building in Brighton.

David

 

[Bwian]

It's time to let the old girl shuffle off this mortal coil...tear it down and start again. If they rebuild it it'll only be a replica at best and who really wants the seaside version of a kit car?

The 25 million would be much better spent re-locating all of the fcukwits of Falmer 'Village'.

 

[Yorkie]

The West Pier should NEVER be knocked down.

Fight the good fight, keep the West Pier ALLLIIIIIIIIVVEE

I agree. The West Pier is unique and a listed building.

It won't detract from any other projects in the area because the criteria for lottery grants are down to category rather than geographical location.

 

[Icy Gull]

I remember a similar argument about Brighton Pavilion when it needed renovating. There's enough modern shit around (King Alfred, Conference Centre) to make it far to risky to knock down the structures that made Brighton what it is. What monstrosity would replace the West Pier? Or are we just gonna knock it down and forget about it?

Brighton Pavilion, The Dome, The Corn Exchange, the Piers are all things that helped make Brighton what it is today. The modern stuff is by and large ugly and the same as every other City or large town. Most of it is built on the cheap and the end result is that it looks tacky.

 

[beorhthelm]

problem with the West pier is this: its so fcuked that you'd have to rebuild it form scratch. Which means a new "design" as you wouldnt be allowed to build a new structure exactly like the original as it wouldnt conform to modern building/safety specs.

So since your building a new pier and the original has actually been torn down, theres nothing to preserve anymore. Why not build a new design? Or a complete alternative? "but we want to keep the old pier, its part of Brightons heritage" comes the cry, it needs to be restored...

Stalemate.

 

[mk_bha]

knock down the rusty piece of and buld a state of the art complex for the future! move forward people....stop living in the past!

English heritage and history is something to savour, this pier was enjoyed by victorians - arguably this islands greatest time.

complex for future - pah!

 

[BrightonBird]

In the House of Commons at question time a northern MP mentioned that some areas of the country are getting more lottery grants than others. This was because his pet project didn't get a grant because Camelot did not have enough money to go around.


This is not actually true (that his region was not getting tis fair share), but it does mean that this factor could be taken into account.

It is always maintained that each project is assessed on its merits without regard to what other local projects get the dosh.

I am not sure if I am nieve enough to believe this. If the West pier gets a huge wad, it could be argued that this will mean less money for other projects in Sussex?

I do actually agree with you. I know it is a historical part of our culture, but something should have been done years ago. It has been left to rot and I think it looks like an eyesore since the fire.

They either tear it down or pay millions to restore it NOW.

 

[CHAPPERS]

I remember a similar argument about Brighton Pavilion when it needed renovating. There's enough modern shit around (King Alfred, Conference Centre) to make it far to risky to knock down the structures that made Brighton what it is. What monstrosity would replace the West Pier? Or are we just gonna knock it down and forget about it?

Brighton Pavilion, The Dome, The Corn Exchange, the Piers are all things that helped make Brighton what it is today. The modern stuff is by and large ugly and the same as every other City or large town. Most of it is built on the cheap and the end result is that it looks tacky.

Yup.