 In 1984 , £ 1 million of damage was caused to the pier by drifting equipment during engineering work in Sand Bay , to the north of the pier . The damage was quickly repaired , despite fears that Birnbeck might become like nearby Clevedon Pier , which at the time was severed by a collapsed span . The pier was again badly damaged by storms in 1990 and was closed for safety reasons in 1994 . Daily trips during the summer months to and from Cardiff , Clevedon , and Penarth were suspended indefinitely . Due to the decline , English Heritage has placed it on the Heritage at Risk register . In 1999 , the lifeboat station installed a walkway across the pier to allow them safe access to the island , at a cost of £ 20 @,@ 000 . 
