Sun Pier, Chatham

[Firefly]

Sun Pier has had a public pontoon on the end of it for many years, useful for crew changes, diving ashore for provisions etc. The bridge to it fell down (!) a couple of years ago and now the whole kit and caboodle has been cleared away, except for the piles in the river. The contractors on site don't think it is due to be replaced so that is another town we can't get to from the river.

 

[Marmalade]

Firefly - welcome to the forum. I think Sun Pier got mentioned in the 12 days of Christmas challenge (which I failed miserably!) I hadn't realised there was no other way to land at Chatham - although obviously through the lock to the marina if you're staying a while.

Presumably it was privately owned?

 

[Cantata]

As Firefly says, it's been closed for a while - in fact since April 2008. As I understood, the bit that failed was the 'bridge' between the pier itself and the pontoon on the end.
It's not private, it's owned by Medway Council. Back then they told me that funding was being sought to repair it.
I hope that the fact the piles have been left is an indicator that all is not lost. It would be good to get an update from the Council but as I know from bitter experience it's very hard indeed to find anyone there who knows anything about it. I'll try again - in the meantime, if anyone knows or can find out more, we'd be grateful.

 

[xyachtdave]

I have heard on the grapevine it is either, not getting fixed anytime soon, or more worrying, to be demolished as Medway council seem intent on destroying the town.

 

[Firefly]

Chatham Maritime is actually a couple of miles from Chatham itself, Sun Pier - you walk ashore and you are in the middle of the town. Now its only use is as a backdrop for BBC South East TV news broadcasts, they use it quite often, nice blue ironwork with wood balustrade and view of the river (which now, of course you can't get to).

Tillergirl asks in another thread whether a campaign on access is needed what with Mistley and Sun Pier - there is an embryo campaign on the Thames to improve the currently nearly non-existant access. Not getting too far though, Gravesham Council are spending £2m on a pontoon arrangement on Town Pier with no leisure boating access (they will think about it for the future!). The only councillor to show interest is considered to have a bee in his bonnet and an obsession.

 

[Cantata]

I have made some enquiries and am led to believe that all is not yet lost at Sun Pier, all that is needed is a small matter of money and they will reinstate it, they say.

 

[johnalison]

I'm surprised that money is a problem as the EU is actually quite keen to spend money on coastal facilities and should be prepared to pay 50%, judging by developments on the Colne.