A collapsed historic pier has been painstakingly removed for restoration.

The structure at Rochester, known as the brow, plunged into the River Medway almost 18 months ago having fallen into disrepair.

Since then it has proved a sorry sight, partially submerged in the mud bank.

It crumbled under the strain of an early-morning tide just weeks after funding had been secured to restore it to its former glory.

Two walkway bridges and a transition platform have also been taken away by specialist marine contractors.

The main pontoon will remain in place and works are expected to be completed early this month.

The upper section of Rochester Pier, accessed from Esplanade Gardens, will remain closed to the public until further structural investigations are completed.

The cost of the complete repair project is estimated at about £137,000.

Rochester Pier, originally constructed in 1881 and known as Esplanade Pier, was built to provide river trips and passenger services.

In 1998 it was extensively improved with a new 19m long pontoon to accommodate the Kingswear Castle paddle streamer and pedestrian access via a link span of two brows with central flotation platform.

A survey in April 2019 identified 11 immediate priority repairs, including the removal of two redundant timber dolphins owing to risk of collapse into the river, causing navigational hazard and with the flotation platform showing signs of metal buckling.

In September 2019, support beams of the central platform began to crack, marine engineers advised pier closure and quoted £56k for essential repairs.

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 contribution but was unable to provide charity funding to a local authority.

However, the trust, which manages and maintains Rochester Bridge, agreed to pay for a feasibility report.

In May 2022 the flotation platform failed, causing the two brows to collapse into the riverbed, causing damage to the pontoon and potential structural stress to the T section.

Volunteers from the Friends of Rochester Churchfields and Esplanade (FoRCE) have taken an active interest in the structure and have been keen to secure its future.

Kristian Hansen, a committee member, is encouraged that steps are now being taken to get the pier up-and-running for public use again.

Mr Hansen said volunteers from the conservation group had expressed an interest in maintaining it.

Speaking previously, he said: “Our friends and members have been telling us for some time that regaining access to the historic fixed structure is something they care about, and have expressed concern about the effect of the broken section on the view from the Esplanade and the health of the river.”