COUNCIL CONCERN OVER FUTURE OF LYTHAM PIER

“FORESHORE DEVELOPMENT HELD UP”

ALD. PICKLES TO LEAD MONDAY’S DISCUSSION

THE FUTURE OF LYTHAM PIER, CALLED YESTERDAY "A BLOT ON LYTHAM FRONT" BY ALD. F. W. PICKLES, CC, IS ALMOST CERTAIN TO BE DEBATED AT. LYTHAM ST. ANNES TOWN COUNCIL'S MONTHLY MEETING ON MONDAY NIGHT.

The council, at their private meeting last Monday, instructed the Town Clerk (Mr. Walter Heap) to write to the Clifton Estate to find out what they intend to do about the pier.

On December 31, 1952, the solicitors to the trustees of the Estate posted a notice on the pier informing the owner, Mrs. Nellie Kamiya, widow of Mr. Harry Kamiya, of Clifton-drive North, St.Annes, that unless it was repaired and re-built within 12 months, proceedings would be taken by the Estate for the recovery of possession of it.

Lytham members of the council, who, it is expected, will lead Monday night’s debate, feel it is time Lytham foreshore was developed, and this big task cannot be tackled until the pier problem has been solved.

ALD PICKLES told the “Express" yesterday, "During the recent St. John's by-election great indignation was expressed at the continued deterioration of Lytham pier, and the apparent disinclination to do anything about it.

The matter was brought before the general purposes committee on Monday so there will be an opportunity for a full discussion at Monday's council meeting.

“Now that controls and restrictions have been loosened, it is time to ascertain who is responsible for its present condition," he said.

“RECONSTRUCTION OR —"

It was agreed on Monday that the Town Clerk should inquire fully into the possibilities of its reconstruction and, if that was not possible, then its complete demolition must be sought, added the alderman.

Ald. Pickles said he would raise the matter on Monday and he would have the full backing of Councillors J. W. H. Lloyd, C. S. Urwin and H. A. Costigan. He was sure every member of the council realised that the pier was "such a blot on Lytham front" that something would have to be done about it.

DEVELOPMENT

Ald. Pickles then referred to the possibility of developing Lytham foreshore.

Extensive reclamation would be necessary, and he had in mind something on the lines of Fairhaven Lake or a huge boating pool for yachts with necessary car parking accommodation.

“A twopence halfpenny scheme will not do," he said. "But we must first settle the pier problem," he said. 

SEAWARD END OF THE PIER TO BE DEMOLISHED

PLANS FOR RESTORATION OF THE FRONT

“A START WILL BE MADE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE”

PART OF LYTHAM PIER IS TO BE DEMOLISHED, AND THE WILL BE REPAIRED AND, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, SUITABLY DEVELOPED.

This exclusive news was given to the “Express" yesterday afternoon by Messrs. May, Hamer and Park, of Blackpool, solicitors acting for Mrs. Nellie Kamiya, of Clifton-drive North, St. Annes, owner of the pier.

They issued the following statement to the "Express " yesterday afternoon:

"MRS. NELLIE KAMIYA has decided, after careful consideration, to demolish the seaward end of the pier and to repair the remainder of the structure as may be necessary with a view to suitable development.

"The cost in these days of repairing and modernising the Pier in its entirety would be absolutely prohibitive and the course which Mrs. Kamiya is taking represents the only sound and practical approach left open to her in this most difficult problem, and it is a course which will benefit Lytham St. Annes.

A LIABILITY

In fairness to Mrs. Kamiya it should be pointed out that the pier was purchased by her husband, who died in 1951.

Had he lived to realise his ambition it might have been possible to undertake a slightly more extensive scheme.

"But the burden of death duties has made it quite impossible for his widow to carry out her husband's intentions and the pier has become to her an anxiety and liability in its present state.

EARLY START

"Mrs. Kamiya is naturally most anxious to make the Pier an attraction suitable for the Borough, and is hoping in the present undertaking to be given the support and co-operation of all interested authorities.

“A start will be made as soon as possible," the statement reads.

INSPECTOR'S VISIT

The Town Clerk (Mr. Walter Heap) reported at a private meeting of the Town Council on Monday that an Inspector of the Ministry of Transport had recently visited Lytham Pier, and would be submitting his report to the Ministry in due course.

The Town Clerk also reported that as a result of this there was reason to expect Mat the seaward end of the pier would be demolished soon, and the front restored on lines which would be for the benefit of Lytham.