Brighton’s council leader says she was misquoted when asked if she stood by her pledge to finish restoring the Madeira Terrace by 2027.
But this week, Ms Sankey said she had never committed to this timescale.
Brighton and Hove News asked Ms Sankey in September whether the council still aimed to restore all 151 arches by 2027 after we reported the first phase was set to be scaled back from 40 arches to 28.
Today, we were sent a statement in which she said she had never specified a timescale.
She said: “In my interview with the Argus I told them that a Labour administration started the terraces restoration and a Labour administration would finish it but I said, in terms, that I couldn’t be drawn on a more specific timeline.
“I was making a point about our party’s commitment to restoring the terraces; a stunning part of our unique heritage that we treasure and celebrate.
“I am committed to being open about our plans and will be doing a follow up piece with the Argus.
“Despite our difficult financial position your Labour council is committed to funding the first phase of the project and I’m very excited to see this first phase get underway.
“It’s no secret that we don’t yet have funding secured for the further phases of the project but I am open to hearing campaigners and residents suggestions about how we fund the rest.”
The Argus was approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.
Jax Atkins, who sits on the Madeira Terrace Advisory Panel, said: “Bella Sankey promised the completion of the project by 2027 in an interview with the Argus.
“To meet this deadline a commitment on funding needs to be made and the building needs to be continuous to meet this ambitious target. Or was this promise just hot air?”
The clarification comes after Brighton and Hove News revealed the council is asking bidders for the restoration contract to quote to restore both the originally planned 40 arches, and 28.
This means if the cost to restore 40 arches comes in over budget, they can opt for the smaller number rather than having to start the process again from scratch.
The budget for the first phase was set before covid, before inflation significantly pushed up the cost of building projects.
glad thats cleared up . Still disappointing we are only doing 28 arches in phase 1 , instead of 40 and that the Shelter Hall lift is out of action until phase two starts in 2025 . What state will it be in by then ? The lift needs to be totally enclosed in hoarding to protect it .
Argus Reporter Daniel Green made a boo-boo it seems.
Let’s hope Daniel still has his notes. Anyway, if it was an exclusive interview surely Sankey or someone from her team would have complained to the Argus at the time if the article was incorrect.
Wish the council would just get the thing done instead of making lame excuses.
Will have to wait and see what Daniel says – perhaps he recorded the interview?
I don’t think he did. She said a Labour council started the project (Labour took over the council in 23 and get a 4yr run before next election) and a Labour council will finish it. So what is a reporter supposed to make of that? Apart from her automatically thinking that a Labour council will still be in place beyond that, which is extremely arrogant.
This is horrifying. Madeira Terraces have now been closed off for ten years and restoring them needs to be an absolute priority. Sankey cannot promise that a Labour administration will finish the job when she has no idea if Labour will be re-elected in 2027.Therefore any restoration promises need to specify the CURRENT administration. And that the FULL Terraces will be restored, not just part.
…and we haven’t really needed them for ten years. I think considering them a priority is to ignore everything else that is going on right now.
Do agree. Can’t remember the last time I saw them – never down that way- so I don’t care if nothing happens.
Tbh I’d me much happier if they spent the money on some decent street lights in hove… Shocking dangerous
Have you contacted your local Councillor? They will get things like that done pretty rapidly.
You must live on another planet. Planet dopey by the sounds of it.
Sticks and stones coming from you aren’t going to do much, so you can imagine the effect words are going to have.
Nah, but in seriousness, I’ve had a lot of success in getting a myriad of repairs done in my area with the help of the Councillors. It also gives a really good base if it doesn’t get done.
Misquote, that’s convenient. Get on with what you promised and stop wriggling.
That’s the point of correcting a misquote, Steve.
Seems like The Argus is being rewarded for their cock up with another exclusive interview … Bit odd if she really does think she was misquoted?
10s of millions will have to be spent she doesn’t have a clue
Tell that to Benjamin!! In his eyes the council can do no wrong. He must be on the payroll…..more wasted tax payers money
Perhaps he’s part of the 26-strong council communications / social media group?
What it doesn’t need is a new very expensive lift which will cost a small fortune.the other lift needs a revamp because access should be made available to all.
My sympathies for Bella and for Daniel – the plan was to restore all arches, but their condition is worsening, the money is vanishing, and the British economy is not helping. I just wonder how dangerous they really are. What about a loading test…?! How else can we decide what load the arches can maintain – or whether the Madeira lift is really in danger? Place the weight of twenty people on an arch, or of four people in the lift… Clearly the lift has withstood Storm Ciaran…
From one useless council to another all talk and cold air
Iv been in Brighton for nearly a quarter of a century now it’s been rusting away whilst the council waste money on Vain cycling lanes
28 Arches 40 arches
If it wasn’t for jax Atkins this would be a pile of rust by now
All councils are Courrupt liers who are only in it to profit from our losses
It’s disgusting how our Regency has been neglected
It should be done with the Victoria fountain
Seeing as the Argus is now paywalled they can basically print anything and nobody’s going to read it unless another publication pulls them up on it
Mis-quote or not, surely it’s something to aim for. Perhaps our lovely Labour council could apply to the government for help, citing all the millions that are being spent on the houses of parliament and historic buildings in the capital, leaving nothing for the heritage of cities/towns like Brighton. If we get a Labour goverment perhaps they’ll sort it.
Just get on with it and make a start. Begin at the western end and work east, its that easy. People just complicate things. Get a team of workers onto it and crack on!
He he and so it begins..
We have your vote now go away for four years.
Bella Snakey wriggles out of another commitment..