Campaigners adamant West Pier will rise again

The Argus Tuesday, 1 April, 2003

AFTER a weekend shrouded in smoke and flames, the charred skeleton of Brighton's West Pier emerged yesterday.

Thousands of people have made a pilgrimage to the landmark since arsonists started a blaze, which ripped through the historic theatre on Friday.

Campaigners who want the structure restored say nothing will stop their project going ahead.

In February, the Brighton West Pier Trust and developers St Modwen gained permission from the city council to restore the pier and build three controversial landside pavilions to help finance the project.

Trust chief executive Dr Geoff Lockwood said: "The fire in the Pavilion was another sad day in the long suffering of the West Pier. However, on this occasion it was tempered by the knowledge that the restoration will follow."

Dr Lockwood added: "Our engineers confirm the opinion of the police and fire brigade that it is too risky to attempt to gain access to the sea-based pier to check the cause of the fire. We remain suspicious about that cause.

"The Trust and St Modwen are determined that nothing will prevent the start of the restoration within the next 12 months."