Local students work on historic pier restoration

Construction students are getting "invaluable" experience by playing their part in the reconstruction of a historic pier.

The students, from Weston College in Somerset, are working on Birnbeck Pier every week as part of the one-off project to bring the structure back into use.

The Grade-II listed structure closed in 1994 because of safety concerns, and has since been damaged by storms.

This week students Fin and Ashton have been learning about how the project has to be co-ordinated around the tides in the Bristol Channel, and also seen a specialised barge arrive to help workers access the pier deck.

Daniel Comerford is the pair's lecturer in Construction Professions at Weston College, and says the experience is invaluable.

"I think the biggest thing is we can teach some stuff in the classroom at college, but in real life, it's different.

"They have to deal with the tide, the conditions, the workforce, the materials. It's different on site in real life."

Fin and Ashton are studying for a T-level in Construction - equivalent to three A-levels - but they need to complete 315 hours of practical experience in order to pass the course.

Painstaking work has gone on at the pier to make sure the old buildings, like the ticket office and the old shell shop, are properly restored.

Fin has been part of the onsite team since December, working on the restoration of the buildings on the shore.

He said the experience has helped him decide what direction he would like his career to take.

"Originally I thought I was going to go down the design route, but I think I'll go down more of a management route, it's given me a good understanding of what I want to do," he said.

The legs of the Grade II* listed pier are in good condition, but the deck of the pier is having to be replaced.

Ashton is working on that part of the project and said, as a local, his family are really proud of what he is doing.

"Since I'm from Weston, it is a big project. I'm hearing from my grandparents that they used to go on the pier so it's a great thing for my family.

"They've been posting what I'm doing all over... they're loving it."

The public should be able to once again walk on the restored structure by the end of summer 2027

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.