Facebook campaign to save Trefor pier

Mar 11 2010 by Eva Ketley, Caernarfon and Denbigh Herald

Trefor Pier

CAMPAIGNERS have taken to the internet in a bid to save a popular pier from ruin.

Life-long angler and Nazareth resident Jason Goodfellow has launched a new group on popular social networking site Facebook in a bid to get Trefor pier reopened.

He is planning to hand in a petition to Gwynedd Council in a bid to get it to invest the £500,000 needed to do the job.

The Herald also understands efforts have been made by the community council to organise public meetings to save the popular seaside structure.

Due to the deteriorating condition of the pier it has been closed to the public for a number of years.

A report last year also stated that the pier could be sold off or demolished as part of a strategy to make up a funding shortfall of millions.

Mr Goodfellow said he hopes to organise a meeting with the council to see what can be done to make the pier into a valuable asset for the community.

He said: “The point of the campaign is to make the council aware of the potential money they are losing out on by not reopening the pier.

“I am a sea angler and I would be more than happy to pay £3 to fish off the pier, just like I have to when I fish from Bangor pier.

“It is not all about sea anglers though. Many people from the Trefor area have been worried about the fate of the pier for a while now, it’s definitely a big concern among residents.

“Not only the sea angling community but also the overall community needs to pull together and make our opinions heard to Gwynedd Council.

“There will also be an online petition to sign, because I feel that with the right points and a high number of people who want to see the pier restored, this will be a battle that in the long run we can win.”

Barry Davies, Gwynedd’s maritime and country parks officer, said: “Trefor pier has deteriorated considerably over recent years and one set of upright supports has been dislodged and is no longer supporting the upper section of the pier.

“This is a serious cause for concern and the council has closed the pier permanently as the risk to the public is very high.

“Whilst Gwynedd Council has taken steps to maintain the pier over the years, a 2006 structural survey estimated refurbishment costs could be in excess of £500,000.

“Such an investment would only prolong the life of the pier for approximately 20 years.

“Unfortunately, when the pier was open to the public, the level of vandalism was extremely high, the fencing was regularly damaged and fires lit on the decking.

“Gwynedd Council has installed a palisade type fence at the entrance, and the access gate is locked to restrict access. The council will commission a further report on the condition of the pier. We will be consulting with the community council and the local member as soon as this has started.”