Published: January 21, 2009
Hinkley Point cash could help repair Burnham-On-Sea's crumbling jetty

Ice and stormy weather have worsened the condition of Burnham-On-Sea's crumbling jetty during recent weeks, prompting town councillors to step up their search for sources of funding to get the structure repaired.

New cracks have appeared in the tarmac near the bottom of the landmark, as pictured above, which have raised fresh concerns about its further deterioration.

It comes amid fresh attempts by Burnham district councillor Neville Jones, pictured right, to gain much-needed funding to renovate it.

Two possible sources include Hinkley Point power station and Severn Sea Ferries, which plans to operate ferry services around the Bristol Channel, as recently reported here.

Last year, an application to English Nature failed to get the jetty listed as a 'structure of special historic interest' in an attempt to secure hundreds of thousands of pounds of funding, as covered by Burnham-On-Sea.com here.

The application was turned down because English Nature claimed the jetty is "not of sufficient special architectural or historic interest to merit listing," even though it was included in Burnham's Conservation Area in 2007.

However, for several years, Cllr Jones has been pushing for repairs to made to the landmark, which was originally built in 1855, and he is now pushing forward on the funding proposals.

In a report to the town council, he said Hinkley Point is being approached for possible funding.

"As members know, we were successful in having the jetty embraced within our Conservation Area, but not 'listed', which could have brought us Heritage Cash for improvements," he said.

"I am hopeful that we may receive funding from Hinkley Point for 'low level waste' cash."

He stressed that there are no plans for nuclear waste to be brought into Burnham, and added: "It is so sad to see the jetty crumbling away like this. Something needs to be done."

Meanwhile, the lower half of the jetty continues to be cordoned off by barriers to avoid walkers venturing onto the crumbling tarmac.