Brighton's West Pier Falling Into Sea

Photo: West Pier wood is washed up on Brighton beach. © Jon Pratty.

The famous West Pier in Brighton began to collapse into the sea in December 2002, after being battered by heavy winds and stormy seas.

The West Pier was built in 1866, in Victorian times. The Victorians loved visiting the seaside. Their new steam railways made it easier than ever before for people to go on day trips and Brighton was one of the most popular seaside towns.

For more than a hundred years millions of people came to visit the beautiful West Pier.

They would walk, or promenade, along the pier and meet their friends. They could listen to music in the concert hall, watch shows in the theatre, dance, play games, and admire the view.

Photo: waves lash at the collapsing pier. © Jon Pratty.

Over time the pier became unsafe and in 1975 it was closed to the public. It started to slowly fall apart over the years. Each time there was a storm a little more damage was done.

Finally this week a large part of the old concert hall fell into the sea as people watched from the beach.

There was a plan to restore or rebuild the West Pier. This was going to start in the summer of 2003. We will have to wait and see now whether or not the work can go ahead.

The stormy weather has died down for now, but more high tides and strong winds could carry the rest of the pier off into the waves before work can begin to save it.

Photo: an unlucky starling caught in the collapse. © Jon Pratty.

If you'd like to find out more about Britain's 50 seaside piers then museums are a good place to start.

The Brighton Museum and Art Gallery tells the story of Brighton's piers, including the Chain Pier that was replaced by Brighton Pier.

Southend in Essex has the longest pier in the world. It is so huge that you can even ride to the end on a train! Find out all about the history of the pier, trains, trams and all at Southend Pier Museum.

When the weather warms up again try to get out and about to explore a pier. You could imagine you're a Victorian taking the bracing sea air!