The National Lottery Heritage Fund has stepped in to save the restoration of Birnbeck Pier, after the withdrawal of the RNLI left the project with a £5.5m funding shortfall.

It was a late salvation. The agreement was announced during a meeting of North Somerset Council on 16 September, during which councillors had been expected to officially cancel the renovation.

“Birnbeck Pier is a unique part of our coastal heritage that has been at risk of loss for over 25 years,” said Eilish McGuinness, CEO of the National Lottery Heritage Fund. “The additional grant reflects our commitment to saving heritage at risk and investing in the communities it belongs to.”

“We know that any major project and investment of this scale will have risks, but we are committed to working collaboratively with North Somerset Council, Historic England and UK Government to make this project happen.”

Council leader Mike Bell described the decision as “a real vote of confidence in the project.”