One of the UK’s most popular beach destinations, Brighton, is about to be transformed. In order to prevent the town’s iconic Victorian arches from collapsing on the seafront, the British government has announced a £22 million renovation project.
Brighton’s seafront area is well-known to both locals and tourists alike. Behind the pebbled beach, visitors can marvel at a long series of iron and brick arches. Those structures, which date back to the Victorian era (1860-1880, to be precise), support the King’s Road located just above.
Every day, some 22,000 drivers and 1,500 cyclists take the King’s Road to Brighton Pier, Brighton Beach, and the i360 observation tower. Yet after more than a century, the road’s structure is at risk as the arches are in dire need of restoration.
Since 2014, part of the seafront arches have already been renovated over three phases. The first phase created shops and new public toilets from 26 arches; the second phase saw the strengthening of a further 33 arches between The Seahorse restaurant and the West Pier, and the third phase saw the creation of Shelter Hall, new public toilets located on the lower promenade, with a new walkway and sea wall.
The UK government has now announced it will be putting £22 million towards phases 4 and 5, while the Brighton City Council will be adding £3.9 million. Phase 4 will be focusing on an area between the bandstand and the i360, while phase 5 will move to the area west of Shelter Hall.
Aside from structural work to safeguard the road and seafront, the money will also be used to create usable spaces for cafés, shops, and galleries. Such additions should add to the charm of the town.
“This funding means we can strengthen the Victorian-era arches so they can support the road, pavement and cycle lane on one of the city’s busiest routes for another 100 years. But we’ll also be able to create a better home for local businesses in this vibrant space on the seafront and, working with local communities, look at options for a new and improved King’s Road paddling pool area,” said Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure.
While the fourth phase is estimated to be completed somewhere over the course of 2027, the Shelter Hall phase should be done by 2029. By then, the area should be good to go again for at least a century.
“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,” added Roads and Buses Minister, Simon Lightwood.
Moreover, another £26 million has been attributed to the Brighton and Hove City Council in order to help fix potholes on roads in the area over the next four years.
