Stretching 1.3 miles out into the waters of the Thames Estuary stands the world's longest pier. Built in 1888 to service the Victorian need to escape the noxious London air, Southend Pier has survived fires, a collision which cut it in half, and the constant threat caused by unexploded WW2 ordnance. However, salt water and iron do not mix, and the pier has seen better days. A committed team of specialists is now working hard to prevent it from falling into the sea.