Ideas wanted for pier restoration

A website has been set up for people to air their views

People living in Herne Bay are being asked for their ideas and suggestions for a new town pier.

The current pier, which was once the longest in Kent, has not been used by the public since a section collapsed into the sea in 1978.

Now plans have been drawn up to create a new structure and the consultants working on the feasibility of it being rebuilt want the public's views.

People can offer their suggestions through the city council website.

'Now is the time'

The consultants, PMP and Associates, have stressed the costs of the new pier must be covered by profits from any commercial part of the scheme.

The firm warned that piers were very expensive to build and run.

The feasibility study is being jointly funded by Canterbury City Council, Kent County Council and Tourism South East.

Councillor, Roger Matthews City council member for leisure, said: "We are aware many people in Herne Bay have ideas as to the kind of facilities a new pier should provide and now is the time to send them in.

"The consultant will look at every comment they received, so I would urge local people to make their views known."