Take a trip up the longest pleasure pier in the world at Southend-on-sea the traditional destination for thousands of East Enders over the years.
Unfortunately the pier has fallen on hard times again with a fire in October 2005 making the pierhead inaccessable. However work is progressing to repair the damaged section and restore access.
For those who have never been, a walk up the pier is often a bracing experienced. However a train runs currently to a temporary stop slightly short of the previous station if you are feeling less energenic (or want to avoid the wind).
There is a charge made to walk the pier or ride the train. The pier is open daily
This is a brief history (inc disasters!):
The present iron pier was first opened in 1889 but only extended as far as what is now known as the Old Pier Head. The first extension was built to accommodate the increased number of steamboats visiting the Pier. This was opened in 1898 and is known as the New Pier Head. An upper deck was added and opened in 1908 and further extensions to this area were completed in 1927. The final addition to the length was opened in 1929. The Prince George Extension, as it is called, brought the length to 2360 yards (2158 metres) or 1.34 miles, the Longest Pleasure Pier in the World.
The electric tramway installed by Cromptons opened in 1890 with 1 car of the toast rack type operating on 0.75 miles of single track. By the following year the track had been extended to the full 1.25 miles and two further cars were added. More cars were added until four trains were operated with seven cars in each. A double track working did not start until 1930. In 1949 the rolling stock was replaced with four new trains similar in design to the London Underground stock. In 1978 the electric railway ceased operating due to the deterioration of the track and the high cost of essential repairs. Between 1984 and 1986 the Pier was repaired and a new track laid. Two new trains commenced operation in 1986 on a single track with a passing loop. Each train consists of a diesel-hydraulic locomotive at the southern end, five trailer coaches and at the northern end, a driver control unit with passenger space.
1959- A major fire destroyed the Pier Pavilion at the shore end of the Pier. This was replaced by a ten-pin bowling alley which opened in 1962.
1976- In July a fire destroyed most of the 1908 Pier Head. Despite this disaster and the later termination of the electric railway service, the Pier was not closed to the public.
1986- In June the MV Kingsabbey sliced through the Pier between the Old and the New Pier Heads severing the lifeboat slipway and causing irreparable damage to the boathouse.
1995- In June the Pier suffered another setback when the bowling alley was destroyed by fire. All services to the Pier Head were cut, access to the walkway was severed and 30 metres of railway track were damaged. However, services were reinstated and railway track repaired in time for the Pier to reopen to the public after only three weeks.
2005(Oct) - Fire severely damaged much of the Old Pier Head including the railway station, pub, shell shop, snack bar and ice-cream shop. Much of the wooden planking was destroyed, but the main iron structure was largely undamaged. Heat from the fire was so intense that the Pier Railway tracks buckled. The fire was thought to have started in the pub at around 10:45pm, but due to the extreme location and the damage (several buildings collapsed into the water), the cause has not yet been formally determined, although it is being treated as an accident. No one was injured, but fire-fighters encountered difficulties extinguishing the blaze as, due to the low tide, pumps installed on the pier, were rendered ineffective.
This area is heavily frequented all year (especially in the Summer) so extreme stealth (and patience) will be required.
Why not park at the Estuary View - Cliffs Pavillion Micro cache and stroll along to the pier for a pleasant walk (provided you can keep the kids out of the amusements!). Grab some hot doughnuts on the way (yum yum!)