Part of Brighton's ruined West Pier collapses as UK hit by storm Austen
The Met Office warned of gusts above 70 mph, heavy rain and possible power cuts as the first named storm of the season moves in.
- On Friday, October 23, 2026, a significant section of Brighton's historic West Pier collapsed into the sea as Storm Austen brought powerful winds to the south coast of England.
- The grade I listed structure has been in a state of active collapse for three decades, having remained closed to the public since 1975 and suffering significant damage from fires in 2003.
- Local resident Simon Haffenden, who has lived in Brighton for 16 years, captured the collapse on video. "It made a massive bang," he said, adding, "It is just so sad."
- Phillips, a member of the West Pier Trust, remains hopeful regarding the remaining structure. "I still think the middle bit will stand, I have faith in Victorian infrastructure," she said.
- Storm Boelo will arrive on Saturday, bringing "impactful winds" and widespread gusts of 55-65mph to the UK, according to the Met Office. Further disruption is expected across the country.
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Storm Austen has passed over the Netherlands. While the storm caused significant damage and massive power outages in neighboring countries, disruption in the Netherlands has remained relatively limited so far. Emergency services responded to fallen trees and broken branches throughout the country, but there has been no major destruction to date.
Part of historic pier collapses into English Channel as Storm Austen batters Britain
A section of the former Brighton pier partially collapsed into the sea as Storm Austen continues to sweep across the South West.Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, has brought severe conditions to parts of the South West, with a 76mph gust recorded at St Mary’s Airport on the Isles of Scilly on Friday morning.Footage posted on social media showed part of Brighton’s historic West Pier falling into the sea as it was battered by tall…
Up to 300,000 private homes have been dielectric, mainly in Normandy, Brittany, the Hauts-de-France, the Pays de la Loire and the Centre-Val de Loire. Storm Austen has also caused numerous disruptions in transport. France Télévisions takes stock.
Glasgow Times
Rother Radio - Rotherham & Sheffield's Best Variety of Hits!Part of historic Brighton pier collapses as storms bring heavy disruption
The historic West Pier in Brighton was set alight in 2003, and its skeletal remains have become a feature of the seaside town ever since.
Some 288.600 households in France have privatized the Austen storm suite. The regions of Brittany, Normandy and the Pays de la Loire have been the most affected, reports Le Figaro, citing the operator of the Enedis electrical network.The...
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