Bournemouth Pier work begins Monday as unsafe landing stages removed
19 September 2026 · By Boroughly editorial — AI-assisted, human-reviewed.
If you're planning a trip along Bournemouth Pier in the coming weeks, you'll notice some significant activity starting from Monday, 21 September, as BCP Council begins removing the deteriorating timber landing stages that line the structure.
A specialist engineering inspection found that the lower landing stages have reached a point where they pose an immediate risk — both to anyone on the water below and to the pier's own concrete substructure. The council has moved quickly to prioritise the removal work as part of a broader project to protect the landmark.
The first phase focuses on around 600 metal floor grilles that form the lower level of the landing stages. Each grille weighs approximately half a tonne and will need to be carefully dismantled by a specialist contractor using dedicated safety equipment, then lifted onto the pier deck using a compact crane.
The good news for visitors is that the pier itself will remain open during the day throughout the works. The full removal phase is expected to take roughly 11 to 12 weeks to complete.
For anyone who regularly uses the water around the pier — whether paddleboarding, kayaking or arriving by boat — it is worth being aware of the activity and any temporary access restrictions that may be in place at water level. Full details are available on the BCP Council website.