THE people of Weston-super-Mare reacted with a mixture of sadness and anger at the news Birnbeck Pier’s jetty had partially collapsed under the strong winds caused by Storm Frank.

The north jetty of the historic grade II-listed building fell victim to heavy rain and gales on December 30 and social media channels became a hive of activity.

Many were left lamenting a lack of care and investment, despite the work of the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust, which has been campaigning for the pier’s renovation and restoration. It said the news was ‘devastating’.

Responding to the news on Facebook, Clare O’Farrell-Williams said: “Even though I knew this was going to inevitably happen someday, it is still sad that part of the historical Birnbeck Pier has collapsed due to Storm Frank.

“And I would hate to say it but I sadly see the rest of the pier collapsing into the sea at some point in the near future.

“But still it is a shame to see a part of my former history as being a former resident of Weston has partly gone in such a fashion.”

Nick Mackie suggested it would be difficult for the town to run two piers when a city like Brighton – where the West Pier caught fire in 2003 and collapsed in 2014 after storm damage – cannot maintain both its piers.

He said: “I just spent Christmas in Brighton. Have you seen their West Pier? If a city like Brighton can’t support two piers then Weston certainly can’t. Yes it’s sad that Birnbeck is falling away – but it’s privately owned and I would guess the owner just wants the land for luxury flats.”

Jacky Faulkner simply asked: “This should (have) been expected, how much longer did they expected it to last?”

Elaine Simpson added: “Knew it was going to happen at some point, still sad to see.”

In January 2015, high winds left the walkway on the verge of collapsing.

Sarah Fowler said attention must now turn to restoring the pier to its former glory.

She commented: “Now the money needs to be found to save and restore the remainder, absolutely disgusted this has been allowed to happen.”

Spokesman for the Birnbeck Regeneration Trust Shane Burney said: “The north jetty was in a sad state anyway but it was gutting to see the collapse.

“It is devastating to lose part of the structure and we need more and more people to join us at the trust and move things forward.”