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 Pier Railway
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.
Disasters
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.
Visitor numbers
In 1910 over ½ million people were recorded using the Pier. By 1925 this
figure had reached over 1 ¼ million. The Pier closed for the duration of
the Second World War and reopened in 1945. In 1949 the Pier reached its
heyday with visitors topping 7 million (5 million of those travelling on
the trains). Visitor numbers started to decline in the 1960’s and by
1970 they had dropped to less than a million. The threat of closure in
1980 caused public outcry with letters of protest flooding in to the
Council. However over recent years visitor numbers have started to rise
once more. (See attached).
Pier Museum
For more information about the history of Southend Pier the Pier Museum
offers a closer and more detailed insight. The Museum is located in
North Station at the shore end of the Pier.
Substantial investment has been injected into Southend Pier during 2000/2001. Illuminations installed along the Pier were switched on at a ceremony held at the Pier on 17th November 2000. The lights can be viewed every day of the year from dusk.
Mid-August 2001 saw the completion of the new RNLI funded Lifeboat Station and the Sundeck funded by Southend on Sea Borough Council.
In October 2001 the opening ceremony for the new Pier Sewerage Disposal System and the new Firemain took place. The Sewerage Disposal System installed will pump effluent ashore where it will be discharged into the onshore drainage system and treated at the normal Works in Eastern Avenue. The Pier’s fire-fighting facilities have also been substantially upgraded and powerful submersible pumps will now supply the new facilities with seawater.
Work started in early autumn 2002 to rebuild the remaining fire damaged area at the Pier Head. The area had remained damaged from the 1976 fire and will now be restored to its original size.
Later on in the autumn of 2002 another major project commenced. The Pier Bridge was removed and the Front Entrance demolished. Funding from the Local Transport Plan was made available to replace the Bridge and the new one will be reconstructed at a higher level. This will prevent further accidents involving high-sided vehicles, a problem that has plagued the Pier for many years.
European funding was secured for a new Pier Entrance, installation of CCTV and refurbishment of the Shelters and Toilets on the Pier. The new award winning Pier entrance opened at the end of May 2003.