Brighton's West Pier partially collapses as Sussex hit by Storm Austen
Conservationists looking after the pier structure said the collapse was "so sad"
Last updated 23rd Oct 2026
Part of one of Sussex's most iconic piers has collapsed into the sea as Storm Austen hits the UK.
Wind speeds have reached nearly 70 miles per hour across the county as Storm Austen made landfall across the south of the country on Friday (October 23rd).
Residents gathered on Brighton beach in the early morning to watch the effects of the storm, but eyewitnesses were able to watch the moment part of the structure of West Pier fall into the ocean.
The pier had been a key landmark for the city, despite falling into a state of disrepair, officially closing to the public in 1975.
Since then, the structure has gradually become detached from the land, gradually deteriorating in condition over time.
Sharing a video of the partial collapse, custodians of the pier described the move as "so sad" as the pier continues to suffer damages.
It comes as the Prime Minister claims that the UK could be about to have “a winter of greater flooding” as another named storms is set to bring disruption across the country this weekend.