The Port of Dover has created an “exclusion zone” boundary next to the Prince of Wales pier as work begins to deconstruct it.

The historic pier and the former Hoverport are now part of the construction area for the £120m Western Docks Revival project with work due to start on Monday, May 9.

This is when the pier’s height will be reduced.

The full scheme is predicted to be finished by 2017, delivering a new cargo terminal, marina, shops and restaurants.

In a statement from the port, it said: “In order to safely complete this work it will be necessary to implement a marine exclusion zone of 50 metres away from the Prince of Wales Pier.”

Last Friday the port installed a selection of buoys and a floating rope next to the pier which will act as a barrier for water users.

It will prevent people from getting too close to the live construction site.

A rock bund down the beach will also be installed.

Harbour master Paul Brown said: “The boundary line of the exclusion zone will consist of rock delineation along the beach, a floating rope with small yellow floats to mark the end of the swim zone and a line of four new marker buoys to establish a 50 metre restricted zone for water based activities to the south.

“For their own safety no water users should cross into the restricted area to the south of the line of buoys shown in red in the photograph at any time.”