Maintaining Worthing Pier
We invest significant amounts of money into maintaining Worthing Pier. That includes carrying out ongoing routine repairs and longer-term projects to replace decking and other items.
Unfortunately in October 2024 the pier suffered storm damage to some of its supporting piles, leaving it unsafe for the public:
We worked rapidly with specialist engineering companies to have a temporary steel support structure designed and built to sit underneath the weakened section of the pier and give it extra strength. This prevented more piles being damaged by extra strain from the weight of the deck and also allowed us to reopen the pier to the public in December 2024.
A permanent fix for the pier
Our engineers are working with structural experts on a plan to repair the damaged section of the pier during 2026.
Photo: Damage to Worthing Pier - the snapped pile before it was removed
We have identified funding totalling up to £900,000 for the project, with the intention that the work will be carried out during the summer and autumn when the weather and tides are generally easier to work in.
The hope is that by scheduling the repairs at that time of year, the work will be able to be completed more quickly and more cost effectively, with the pier able to remain open at the same time.
The support structure was designed to sit in place for around two years. Since it was put in place, our engineers have been discussing with contractors what would be needed for a permanent fix.
Photo: the steel support structure under the pier
Video: A seagull's view of the support structure under Worthing Pier
We'll share more information about how the repair will be done when the details are finalised.
Ongoing repairs
While the designs for the permanent repair are worked on in the coming months, our engineers and contractors continue to carry out routine maintenance on the underside of the pier. Minor repairs are a regular occurrence for a structure of the pier's age, and include tightening bolts and replacing tie bars and bull bars underneath the pier's decking.
Photos: the supporting legs, tie bars and bull bars under the pier
These repairs can only be carried out during each month's spring low tides - when the tide goes out far enough for the team to have a good amount of time on the beach - so the work cannot be done during the winter when those tides are shorter.
Our contractors also replace our decking timbers section-by-section when they get about 25 years old, ensuring the walkway continues to be in a good and safe condition for the many thousands of residents and visitors who enjoy our seafront.
At the same time they inspect the steel beams underneath and fit new ones when any need replacement.
At the beginning of 2024 the decking at the eastern entrance to the pier - between the entrance kiosk and the concrete base that the Denton Lounge sits on - was replaced.
Photo: Worthing Pier - the decking removed
Photo: Worthing Pier - the decking joists being replaced
Photo: Worthing Pier - the new decking
The equivalent project is currently underway at the western entrance to the pier and will be completed early in 2026.
We're investing in Worthing's seafront and the town centre to make the area more attractive to visitors and residents.
February 2026
Council engineers and structural experts from Mackley and HOP Consulting began the examination of the storm-damaged section of the pier to determine exactly what needs to be done to repair it.
The team excavated and removed the concrete foundations of the broken pile, collected samples from an adjacent pile to examine and also inspected the pier's trusses from underneath.
March 2026
We've reopened the western entrance to Worthing Pier after completing our project to replace the old decking between the entrance kiosk and the concrete base that the Denton Lounge sits on.
We replace the timbers section-by-section when they get about 25 years old, ensuring the walkway continues to be in a good and safe condition for the many thousands of residents and visitors who enjoy our seafront.
The old decking has been given to Worthing community group Men in Sheds, to recycle into a range of different items for the home and garden.
May 2026
As part of our plan for the permanent repair for the pier, our contractors have removed a cracked pile from underneath the structure.
The adjacent pile was removed in 2024 after being damaged in severe weather.
The steel support structure is continuing to do its job, so the broken pile was able to be removed safely.
June 2026
We've completed essential structural repairs to the landing stage and reopened it to the public. Some additional work will take place over the coming months when tides allow, but the structure is now safe and open for public use.
As part of the project, we've also replaced a number of degraded handrails, and the landing stage platform is now in good condition for everyone to enjoy safely.
July 2026
Following the recent reopening of the landing stage, our contractors have been making the most of the lower tides to continue the pier's maintenance programme.
This includes further maintenance to the landing stage timbers, along with regular inspections and maintenance of the pier's substructure, which withstands challenging coastal conditions all year round.
August 2026
Work has begun on the permanent repair to the pier. The first step has been to remove two support piles as well as the concrete foundations of those piles and the two broken piles that have had to be removed previously.
Our contractor had to use powerful jackhammers to break up the concrete, so we're sorry to nearby residents who were disturbed by the noise. The photo shows the support structure doing its job after the piles had been removed.
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Page last updated: 18 August 2026