A major seaside town will see a huge cash boost over the next few years to repair parts of its Victorian-era seafront to “avoid the risk of collapse”.
The historic arches in Brighton, built around 1890, have been turned into a lively promenade of shops, restaurants, and bars over the years, but have been identified as being in “urgent need of replacement”. A £22 million project is now planned in two phases to avoid the road above collapsing.
The King’s Road Arches in Brighton are made up of 76 Victorian brick vaults that stretch from the Palace Pier to the border of Hove. These red-brick arches were once spaces used by fishermen, before becoming a colourful, creative part of the seaside town, and they also serve as support for the upper promenade above.
In a statement, the government said it had pledged “over £22 million in government funding committed to securely pave the way to fix Brighton’s famous seafront” to “avoid the risk of collapse and ensure the road is safe for the next 100 years.”
The busy road carries nearly 22,000 vehicles and 1,500 cyclists a day, including both locals and tourists, making it a major route in Brighton’s city centre. In addition to securing the road above, the government says the “projects will generate economic growth, with new space created to help local businesses thrive”, promising improved space for “local cafes, bars and galleries along the iconic Brighton seafront in a boost for the local economy”.
The project has two phases, with the first due to be completed next year. This will cover the area from the promenade’s bandstand to the i360 tower. By 2029, the area west of Shelter Hall will be completed. Brighton and Hove Council is set to contribute a further £3.9 million towards the project.
In the statement, roads and buses minister, Simon Lightwood, said: “Brighton is home to a whole host of attractions, from its iconic beach and legendary pier to the fantastic local businesses dotted across the nearby lanes. This funding will mean that everyone can continue to enjoy all of these for the next 120 years by revamping the Victorian arches that dozens of businesses along the seafront call home – boosting growth across Brighton.”
Back in 2024, a £3 million project was announced to restore the beautiful Madeira Terrace, a set of cast-iron arches along the seafront that had been closed to the public for 12 years due to being deemed ‘unsafe’.
So far, parts of the iron work have been dismantled so they can be repaired and restored. There are also plans to install a new lift to make the lower promenade more accessible, and last week the scaffolding was removed to reveal the new red brick structure.
Councillor Julie Cattell addressed concerns that the project was moving slowly in a statement, saying: “We know Madeira Terrace is a vital part of our city’s architectural heritage and is something people really care about. That is partly why we are taking a firm, heritage-led approach. Restoring the existing structure does take more time than simply replacing it – particularly with the testing required – but it is the correct approach.”
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This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
