Prince of Wales Pier Updates
Work to restore the Prince of Wales Pier began on 23rd September 2024 and is expected to be completed by Spring this year.
The costs are now estimated to exceed £2 million, with most of the funding provided by Cornwall Council and the Environment Agency. The Trustees have contributed £55,000, and we will continue fundraising to replenish this amount in our account for emergency works.
There will be some disruption around the harbour, and the Pier will remain closed until the work is complete.
15.March
21.December
4.November
29.September
Day 1
Frequently Asked Question
Why is the work necessary?
The pier is in poor condition. There is a bulge in the seaward face and multiple cracks going through the structure. The Engineers advise that it is likely to fail in a severe storm
When will the work start?
Work will commence on 23rd September. The first activities will be to erect scaffolding for working platforms.
What work is being done?
The existing structure will be stabilised using steel rods to hold the existing masonry in place. The bulge will be taken down and rebuilt. The pier is currently full of voids where the sea has washed away the infill. This will be replaced by pressure grouting. With the structure stabilised, a concrete wall will be placed on the seaward faces to protect it from wave damage.
Will the pier be open whilst work is taking place?
No. It will be a construction site and access to the public is not allowed.
Will there still be access to the harbour shops (Kitty’s Lobster, Crab & Seafood Shack, Polperro Ice cream Parlour, and Laura Lane Ceramics) and the beach?
Yes! Only the PoW pier will be closed.
What are the contractors working hours?
Most of the work will take place during daytime (8am-6pm). However, some work must be done at low tides so it may be necessary for some critical activities to take place outside of these hours.
Why is the work starting in autumn?
Ideally we would have started work in the spring, but the engineers are concerned about the structure lasting another season of winter storms. So, we decided to crack on.
Who is funding the work?
More than half the funding is coming from the Shared Prosperity Fund managed by Cornwall Council. The remainder is funded by the Environment Agency, the Coastal protection Engineers in Cornwall Council and the Harbour Trust
Why doesn’t the government pay for the work?
In a way, it does, because apart from the PHT contribution, all the funds come from government grants. You have to submit business cases for the money and compete with other projects and proposals.
Why does the Harbour Trust have to contribute?
The Trustees investigated numerous potential grant providers. We are yet to find any form of grant where the applicant doesn’t have to contribute.
How can I contribute?
We have set up a Go Fund Me page for donations. Please contribute if you can. Read more at the top of the page or click here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/polperro-prince-of-wales-pier-repairs
FAQ
Friends of Polperro we need your help!
Prince of Wales Pier Appeal
Friends of Polperro we need your help! Our PoW Pier needs urgent repairs. This page has been set up so that our community, visitors and businesses can help us to raise the necessary funds to secure the urgent repairs.
Click here to donate
Thank You for Your Generous Support!
Prince of Wales Pier Appeal
Here is a summary on our fundraising status pr. 23th March 2025
South West Water
£ 25000
60 Forty films
£ 10000
95 donors on GoFundMe
£ 5468
Direct contributions
£ 1516
Funds needed to reach target
£ 13016
We are grateful to everyone who has helped us work towards our goal of £55,000. A heartfelt thanks goes out to each individual and organization who has contributed, including South West Water, 60Fortyfilms, the Polperro Heritage Museum, the Polperro Chapel, the Plantation Café, Andrew Perry, Jackie Roscoe, Mike Pengelly Memorial Darts Tournament and many more. Your generosity makes all the difference!
