• About
    • Ethics policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Ownership, funding and corrections
    • Complaints procedure
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact
  • Support
  • Newsletter
Brighton and Hove News
8 June, 2023
  • News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Community
  • Music
  • Theatre
  • Sport
    • Brighton and Hove Albion
    • Cricket
  • Newsletter
  • Public notices
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Opinion
    • Community
  • Music
  • Theatre
  • Sport
    • Brighton and Hove Albion
    • Cricket
  • Newsletter
  • Public notices
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
Brighton and Hove News
No Result
View All Result
Home Brighton

Brighton seafront needs £100 million lifeline

by Frank le Duc
Tuesday Oct 14, 14 at 12:34PM
A A
3
Brighton seafront needs £100 million lifeline

Brighton seafront needs about £100 million of work to make it safe and secure over the longer term, according to a report out this week. The final figure could be higher or lower subject to a variety of factors. The reality is that even the experts can only put forward a best guesstimate.

The hole in the road above the Fortune of War pub focused attention on the state of the seafront arches. But Brighton and Hove City Council had already set up a cross-party scrutiny panel to look at the problem and map out a way forward. The council had also already refurbished, strengthened and rebuilt some of the ageing arches close to the i360 site.

The arches make great business units for pubs, clubs, cafés and shops. Some that were recently rebuilt were previously disused or used only for storage. Now they generate rent for the council and business rates. Plus they hold up the busy A259 seafront road and the pavement alongside it.

Workmen in the Fortune of War pub removed some wood panelling in April, exposing the failings that led to part of the road above being closed for months. Other problems – down to ageing infrastructure – have prolonged the roadworks. The council said recently that things should return to normal early next month.

Seafront roadworks 201410But some things shouldn’t go back to normal. One of those is the way that we care for what is one of our most valuable assets. The report out this week suggests that the seafront periodically becomes a project. After a while, attention shifts to the next problem that needs fixing.

Instead, the scrutiny panel report suggests that the seafront should be regarded as a priority supported by a permanent programme of maintenance and repair. And that programme should be led strategically by a single person. At the moment different sections of the council have responsibility for aspects of the seafront, divvied up according to budget. In future, the approach should be more joined up.

Evidence to the scrutiny panel – chaired by Councillor Gill Mitchell, deputy leader of the council’s opposition Labour group – underlined the importance of the seafront to Brighton. It’s a source of jobs, a magnet for tourists and a place of free recreation for millions of people each year.

So it makes the decisions about whether to repair, rebuild or replace structures like the arches vital not just for the economy but also for Brighton’s image at home and abroad. Other resorts have neglected their assets and paid a high price. But finding the funds to keep Brighton from fading is far from easy.

Seafront schemes from Brighton Marina to the King Alfred – including Black Rock, the i360 and Brighton Centre – could contribute something towards the cost. The council expects to make £1 million a year from the i360. Rents from revamped arches will also help. But much more is needed – and just as the council faces its own £100 million funding gap.

The revival of London Road could offer lessons. Good practice in Hastings, where the Hastings Pier Charity has been energising, could also provide ideas. Elements of the work could, for example, be part-funded by a direct appeal to the public – residents and visitors alike. This might be more sensible for, say, Madeira Terraces. It’s not a structure that holds up a road. It doesn’t have much prospect of qualifying for statutory funding although it does have heritage value.

The council has a track record of winning money from the European Union and from the government through the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership. But nothing can be taken for granted. Underneath the arches and all along the seafront we face something of a challenge. But it presents us with an opportunity too.

Our seafront is priceless – not just because it’s so hard to put a precise cost on the work that needs doing. We have the chance to strengthen one of the foundations of Brighton’s success and bequeath something precious and extraordinary to the generations to come.

 

ShareTweetShareSendSendShare

Comments 3

  1. feline1 says:
    9 years ago

    What “revival of London Road”…?

    Basic maintenance of the seafront is hopeless at the moment. Just trivial things like painting things regularly so they don’t go rotten or rusty.

    Reply
  2. rolivan says:
    9 years ago

    Feline 1 the painting of the railings and lamp posts has not been done for at least 3 years and they are due to start again next spring over a 3 year period which means that some will not have had a coat of paint for nearly 7 or 8 years and yet if you live in a conservation area you have to comply.

    Reply
  3. feline1 says:
    9 years ago

    well most of them are rusty NOW /sighs/

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Most read

Sinkhole opens up in The Lanes

Large blaze breaks out in Brighton

Brighton car park can be turned into floodlit all-weather football pitches

Coffee shop chain to open today at A27 roadside site

Modern classrooms to replace old huts at college in Brighton

Lewes Road blaze thought to be arson

Two Brighton schools look likely to merge

With reluctance, we had to cancel Brighton Carnival, says council chief

Stanmer Park £7m restoration complete

CCTV in bus assault investigation released

Arts and Culture

  • All
  • Music
  • Theatre
Glastonwick festival review

Glastonwick festival review

8 June 2023
Millie Manders & The Shutup announce Brighton gig as part of UK tour

Millie Manders & The Shutup announce Brighton gig as part of UK tour

7 June 2023
Brighton Carnival cancelled

Brighton Carnival cancelled

4 June 2023
Bad news: SLANT call it a day. Good news: SLANT announce farewell gig

Bad news: SLANT call it a day. Good news: SLANT announce farewell gig

3 June 2023
Load More

Sport

  • All
  • Brighton and Hove Albion
  • Cricket
Brighton and Hove Albion’s World Cup-winning midfielder joins Liverpool

Brighton and Hove Albion’s World Cup-winning midfielder joins Liverpool

by Frank le Duc
8 June 2023
1

Brighton and Hove Albion have sold their World Cup-winning Argentina international Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool as widely expected. The...

Southern Vipers thrash Thunder by eight wickets at Hove

Southern Vipers book their place in T20 finals day

by Sarah Booker-Lewis - local democracy reporter
7 June 2023
0

Southern Vipers secured their place in the Charlotte Edwards Cup finals day with a dominant five-wicket T20 win over the...

Overflow car park could become all-weather football pitches

Brighton car park can be turned into floodlit all-weather football pitches

by Sarah Booker-Lewis - local democracy reporter
7 June 2023
2

An overflow car park can be turned into floodlit all-weather football pitches after councillors voted unanimously in favour of the...

We have an awful lot of work to do, says Sussex coach

We have an awful lot of work to do, says Sussex coach

by Alex Smith
6 June 2023
0

Sussex Sharks head coach Paul Farbrace delivered a hard-hitting critique after his side’s latest defeat in the T20 Blast. After...

Load More
October 2014
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Sep   Nov »
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • Contact
  • Support
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy
  • Complaints
  • Ownership, funding and corrections
  • Ethics
  • T&C

© 2023 Brighton and Hove News

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Opinion
  • Arts and culture
    • Theatre
  • Sport
    • Cricket
  • Newsletter
  • Public notices
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Contact

© 2023 Brighton and Hove News

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.