An historic pier reopened to the public just nine months ago after previously plunging into the water has been closed again for safety reasons.

Rochester Pier, the dilapidated landmark structure which collapsed into the River Medway, is now shut again for an important safety inspection.

Medway Council will carry out the audit and specialists will work “at pace” to carry out any necessary remedial work to ensure the popular riverside attraction can reopen again soon.

A spokesman for Friends of Rochester Churchfields and Esplanade (FoRCE), a team of volunteers who gave up countless hours to get it reopened last year, said they had just been preparing to start paintwork when they got the disappointing news.

He said: “Obviously, structural issues take precedence over aesthetic ones, and we’re grateful to the council for their assurances that they’ll be working at pace to get the essential work done as quickly as is practical.”

For more than three years the collapsed structure in a beauty spot off the Esplanade had been a sorry sight.

The council, which is in charge of its maintenance, closed it five years ago because it was deemed unsafe.

Work has been undertaken since to remove the collapsed sections of the pier. The upper section of the pier was then surveyed at a cost of £3,500 to ensure it was safe .

A further £3,000 was allocated towards the restoration works, which include repainting the railing, a new locking system on the main gate, electrical testing and restoring power.

It was open from “dusk to dawn” every day and the group has pledged to make it a “vibrant” place to be.

Ironically it actually fell apart, plunging into the river in May 2022, just as £137,000 funding had been secured to repair it and return it to public use.

In its heyday, when it was known as Esplanade Pier, it provided access for river trips and passenger services.

In 1998, it was extensively improved with a new 19-metre pontoon to accommodate the Kingswear Castle paddle steamer.

A survey in 2019 identified 11 priority repairs, including the flotation platform which showed signs of metal buckling.

With insufficient funding available a river tour company ceased use of the pontoon and the pier was closed.

Rochester Bridge Trust was approached for advice and potential funding but was unable to provide charity money to a local authority.

But the trust, which manages and maintains Rochester Bridge, did pay for a feasibility report.

In FoRCE’s latest newsletter they expressed their disappointment at the pause in the restoration project.

They said: “For the last nine months, we’ve been delighted to have had Rochester Pier open to the public again while our volunteers work on restoring and refreshing it, but unfortunately, an important safety inspection now requires us to close the pier for some weeks.

“As with any historical structure, it’s crucial to monitor the condition of the Pier, and of course public safety is always the highest priority, so please bear with us while our partners at Medway Council carry out the necessary inspection and any remedial work that might be required.”

After spending countless hours fixing and cleaning the pier, the group continue to welcome ideas on what to with it once the project is finished.

Suggestions include a venue for live music, pop-up shops, a café and bar, a seasonal market - or even for private hire.