THERE are no indications that hairline cracks in Boscombe Pier will "compromise" the structure, a councillor has said.

Bournemouth council's cabinet member for tourism, leisure and culture, Cllr Lawrence Williams, spoke out at the full council meeting on Tuesday night after questions over the structure's long-term viability were raised by Cllr Ron Whittaker.

Cllr Whittaker has called on contractors Carillion to explain why, four years after a multi-million pound refurbishment of the structure, nothing has been done to address the cracks in the struts.

The issue was first raised in September 2011, when engineers from Carillion said workers would complete a programme of repairs.

Cllr Williams said the head of the pier was demolished and a new T-section built as part of the Boscombe Spa regeneration scheme.

"After an extensive procurement and selection process Carillion were selected to design and build the new T section," he said.

"Once the pier was reopened, and after a short period of time, thorough routine inspection works, council engineers identified some minor cracking to some of concrete casing that surrounds the steel piles.

"This was highlighted to Carillion and they were put ‘on notice’ for the defect while further checks are carried out and an assessment made as to whether the concrete casing is structurally significant.

"Since the issue was first identified, the council has carried out a further underwater survey together with a joint survey with Carillion by boat as part of the planned maintenance regime.

"The council is currently awaiting Carillion’s response to the joint survey before deciding on course of action. The pier head was designed with a 50-year design life and there is no indication currently that this is compromised.

"There is certainly no suggestion the immediate future of the pier is compromised. However our aim is to ensure the design life is met fully and we will ensure any necessary repairs are completed."

The councillor responded to a question asked by Cllr Whittaker during the meeting.

Cllr Whittaker had queried why, despite the "very evident cracking to a number of piles and joints supporting the pier", contractors have not made public the results of surveys conducted last year.

"A year later we are still awaiting the results," he added.