I AM no longer one of Cllr Crockford-Hawley's Sad Old Anoraks. I have bought a brand-new anorak, a very useful item until the new sea wall is built. I think that at long last Birnbeck Pier may be saved. Urban Splash appears to have sound financial standi

I AM no longer one of Cllr Crockford-Hawley's Sad Old Anoraks. I have bought a brand-new anorak, a very useful item until the new sea wall is built.I think that at long last Birnbeck Pier may be saved. Urban Splash appears to have sound financial standing and a proven track record, not to mention some vision. I just hope that North Somerset Council planners will work closely and speedily with the company, English Heritage, Birnbeck Regeneration Trust, Friends of the Old Pier, the RNLI, Uncle Tom Cobbley and All, before a couple of gales send the whole structure crashing into the sea. May I ask whether Urban Splash is prepared to put any money 'up front' to protect its investment whilst the wheels of local government are grinding?I feel it is extremely important the RNLI should be able to keep its boathouse and slipway at Birnbeck. It is prepared to invest £750,000 to do so (and please let us not forget that the lifeboats are supported without any Government funding). In the triumph of hope over experience, I'd like to think that Birnbeck Pier may get off the ground or out of the water before the Tropicana is redeveloped.JACQUELINE E FISHERWhitstocks