CAMPAIGNERS say it is time for action rather than words and have made it clear they will fight to save the pier.

An online petition has attracted about 2,000 signatures since being started on January 11, while a Facebook page has also been created to try to inspire support.

Ron Lock, who is one person behind the social media campaign, said: “This is more important than the Tropicana I think because it is the only pier to an island in the world. The Tropicana isn’t going to fall into the sea. I’m sure Birnbeck stirs up emotions and we have a lot of people with fire in their bellies.

“We need to act quickly so we can save it.

“We don’t want to be fobbed off. We are not going to let this fizzle out. We want answers because if we leave it for a couple of years, we won’t have that pier.”

Petition creator Natasha Counsell said pictures on the Mercury website made her and others realise how perilous the situation is.

She said: “I saw the pictures like everyone else and they sparked a fear in people. Some think it can’t be saved anymore. It is hanging on by a thread.”

The petition calls on North Somerset Council to force the pier’s owners to do more.

A spokesman said the jetty part of the pier is not listed but it will study any options CNM Estates puts forward.

* For more information about the group’s plans, see tomorrow’s (Thursday’s) Weston Mercury.