CAMPAIGNERS are calling for action to restore a historic military pier and make it safe for anglers and families to use.

At 380ft long, the MoD’s Barge Pier, at Shoebury Garrison, has a long way to go to rival the Southend landmark just a few miles away.

However, residents believe the pier - with an 84ft wide pierhead - has plenty of room for walkers and anglers.

But sadly the structure is no longer safe.

The pier, most recently used for a display of remembrance poppies, has been fenced off from the public, but there are calls for it to be preserved rather than be left to crumble into the sea.

A nearby pier, Gog’s Berth, is unlikely to be repaired due to the extent of its deterioration but restoring Barge Pier could be an option for the future, Shoeburyness Residents’ Association says.

Member John Budge said: “They fenced it off after the poppy display as they felt it was a danger. It is an item on the agenda of the Shoebury coastal community team. We have been looking at it to see if we could get it back but it would cost an awful lot of money and I’m not sure it would be a priority at the moment.”

About £2million has been allocated to improve Shoebury East Beach and its surroundings though none of that has so far been earmarked for the pier.

Residents’ association vice-chairman, Peter Lovett said: “Barge Pier used to be used by anglers quite a lot. It could be used again. We had kids going on it so the fencing went up because it is structurally unsound.

“It would be nice to have it used again. They are starting to spend money on Shoebury again and it would be nice to allocate part of that money to get the pier in working order.”

Shoebury resident David Hadjicostas was not so keen on the restoration of the pier.

He said: “Gogs Berth came first and is in complete disrepair. It was used to land equipment from Woolwich from the War Department Vessels Gog and Magog for use in the Old Ranges. Barge Pier came next and is far more robust because the equipment being delivered got bigger and heavier and they used it to test and fire guns.

“My opinion is that they should be left alone and respected as historical monuments as part of our Shoeburyness story and its long and glorious association with the development and testing of guns and ammunition.”