RNLI withdraw from Birnbeck Pier and Island project

This follows a thorough analysis of the Birnbeck Pier and Island business case, tender proposal and proposed building contract terms that were returned in May 2025. This was carried out by a panel which included RNLI Trustees, members of the RNLI Senior Leadership team, subject matter experts within the RNLI Council, and independent consultants.

The analysis formed the basis of a project viability review, which was a contractual requirement at this stage of the process ahead of any contract being awarded, and formed part of the terms of the Collaboration Agreement between the RNLI and North Somerset Council.

Peter Sparkes RNLI Chief Executive;

‘Whilst this has been a difficult decision, we believe it is the right thing to do for the charity, our supporters and the community we serve. We are incredibly proud of our volunteers and remain committed to retaining a lifesaving presence in Weston-super-Mare.

‘Alongside the other funders we have invested money, time and resource to get the project to this stage with belief it would support the delivery of our core purpose, to save lives at sea. Regrettably, following the viability review, the charity does not have the confidence needed in the funding or contractual structure to deliver the pier repair project to completion, or in the plan to ensure that the long term, ongoing maintenance costs associated with the historic pier will be met. Investing donors’ money in a pier restoration project that is not fully funded, with insufficient risk contingency to ensure the project reaches completion, would present an unacceptable on-going financial risk, as would investing donors’ money in a lifeboat station on the Island which is only accessible by a pier for which there is no viable long term maintenance plan.

‘The RNLI entered into talks and a collaboration agreement with North Somerset Council with the best intentions and it is with regret that we have come to this decision but as a charity, our donors give us their money in trust, and we have a duty of care to spend this money in a way that enables us to save lives for many years to come.

‘I would like to acknowledge our remarkable volunteers at Weston RNLI, who have contributed hugely to this project in time, expertise and passion, all while maintaining a lifesaving service from their temporary facilities at Knightstone.

‘I want to assure them that the RNLI is committed to securing a permanent lifesaving facility in Weston-super-Mare for their work. We have a responsibility to them, and our donors to ensure their money is invested in the right places and that the decisions we make now set us on a sustainable trajectory that is appropriate for the lifesaving needs of our communities.

‘We will continue to work with our lifesaving volunteers, and North Somerset Council to determine next steps.’

ENDS

Notes to editor:

• RNLI Weston currently operate out of temporary portacabins at Marine Lake where they have been saving lives since 2014. (WSM D and B classes have launched on service 527 times, saved 38 lives and aided 215 people (*RNLI data from 2014 to 24 June 2025)

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