By Vanessa Harris

A retired school teacher who has been left angered by a damaged town centre pier fears residents are “in danger of losing access” to the river.

Beryl Payne, who has lived in Rochester since 1986, feels Sun Pier in Chatham is hazardous after spotting the pavement is collapsing on either side of the entrance.

The jetty, which is Medway's last remaining public pier in use, dates back to the 1860s. In recent years it has been used by Jetstream tours who offer day trips and experiences on high-speed boats, and for events and festivals.

Mrs Payne, who taught at St Andrew’s and is ex-chairman of a local Partners and Communities Together group, says she is passionate about what happens to Sun Pier and wants answers.

She said: "We have lost Strood Pier, and, recently, access to Rochester Pier was blocked off. It now looks like Sun Pier will soon be closed off to the public as well if this collapse of the bricked footpath continues as rapidly as it has up to now."

She added: “People use the pier, they take their children down there. I often have coffee with friends on the pier. It's a historical asset.

“This is the only public access to the river now. No one did anything before when the Rochester Pier collapsed.”

Last May part of Rochester Pier fell into the River Medway. It was thought the historic jetty, which has been deteriorating for years, finally broke free when the tide changed. It had been out of use since Medway Council closed it in 2019 with a sign warning: "Dangerous Structure. Do Not Enter."

Since then the first steps have been taken to repair the pier.

Mrs Payne continued: “I want to save Sun Pier before it collapses and I'm very upset that nothing is being done. It is dangerous for the public to go down and I want councillors and the council to actually do something rather than fob it off.”

After being in contact with the council she was left confused and frustrated about who owned Sun Pier and who is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the site

The 79-year-old added: “My friend has been in touch with Medway Council but was told that the land was not maintained by the council.

“They said they are not responsible for the pier’s maintenance.

“I understand the pier may not be top priority where funding goes immediately. I can understand that the pier may be less important than child services. But someone has to be responsible.”

Mrs Payne contacted local councillors but says she has had no response.

Sunny Ee, assistant director of regeneration at Medway Council, said: “We are arranging for the pavement to be repaired outside Sun Pier as quickly as possible.

"We have recently invested in the Sun Pier area through Historic England’s High Streets Heritage Action Zone project and will continue to do so.”