The only set of steps down to the beach for a half mile stretch are to close for a month so Madeira Terrace arches can be dismantled.
The Royal Crescent steps will close on Monday, 17 March for four weeks while arches 87 to 89 are taken down.
The work is part of the first phase of the restoration of the Victorian cast iron terrace, which began last November and is set to be completed in summer 2026.
The nearest access to the beach from Kemp Town village is now either the Colonnades or Duke’s Mound.
I thought they were supposed to be doing a few arches at a time and then moving along to minimise disruption and maximise due care and attention to the world’s longest surviving historic ‘land pier’. It doesn’t bode well that Madeira Terraces is seemingly not being treated as a specialist heritage project any more, but some standard building fixer upper and considering it is Grade II* Listed.
I hope all the ornate heads and other features are being safely stored ready for reinstatement as well.
“ I hope all the ornate heads and other features are being safely stored ready for reinstatement as well”.
If they aren’t, check eBay.
Specialists are undertaking this work, don’t worry. Though it might be some time before the whole terrace is restored.
Let’s hope that some of the dismantled pieces don’t end up on eBay again…