Historic England has given £240,000 more towards the first phase of the restoration of Madeira Terrace, to fund more cast iron testing and repair.
The total amount the public body has given to Brighton and Hove City Council is now almost £1 million – about 5 per cent of the total budget for the first 28 arches and a new lift.
Specialists from contractors Cast Iron Welding Services is continuing to meticulously repair the hundreds of cast iron components that make up this first phase.
It previously restored Brighton’s Victoria Fountain on the Old Steine and has more recently repaired the seafront Victorian street lamps.
However, it is thought this is the first time in the world that this technology has been deployed to repair structural cast iron, hence the need for extensive testing.
By focusing on the repair and reuse of cast iron where possible, the project is avoiding the release of carbon emissions associated with recasting. It will also preserve the craftsmanship and embodied carbon represented by the original ironwork.
The casting of iron typically generates about eight tonnes of CO₂ emissions for every tonne of cast iron created. An approach of repair rather than replacement is expected to result in less than an eighth of this.
The first sections of the structural cast iron have returned to the seafront from the specialist foundry. Assembly of the cast iron skeleton is now well underway in preparation for the installation of a new concrete deck.
Elsewhere on the site, the new lift structure has started to take shape behind its protective wrapping. Soon this will be removed to reveal the brick skin, made up of more than 20,000 bricks, and the glazed lantern. Works to install the new lift car will start shortly.
Claudia Kenyatta and Emma Squire, co-CEOs of Historic England, said: “The restoration of Maderia Terrace is forging ahead. We’re proud to see the attention to detail paid during repairs to this extraordinary structure.
“Our latest grant is supporting the best practice of conserving as much original material as possible, ensuring a vital part of Brighton & Hove’s heritage lives on and is loved for longer.”
Councillor Julie Cattell said: “Historic England has supported us throughout the project, and this additional funding is a strong vote of confidence in the careful, long‑term approach we are taking.
“It brings us another important step closer to returning Madeira Terrace to safe, accessible use for residents and visitors, now and for generations to come.”
Chris Ward, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, said: “This additional funding is a real vote of confidence in the work being done to bring the Terrace back into use.
“Restoring Madeira Terrace will breathe new life into the eastern seafront for residents and visitors alike. I’m very grateful to Historic England for their continued support in helping return this much-loved landmark to its former glory.”
Perhaps future administrations will take better care of it than the previous ones? Although the railings on the rest of the front are not looking promising at this time.
The council have got a cheek to have fancy seafront redevelopment plans when they were previously going to let Madeira Terraces rot, were it not be for the dogged efforts of a group of campaigners. The way they are treating the rest of the seafront remains a scandal. The only painting, when it gets done, is over the rust. Contractors don’t bother stripping anything down properly. The sooner the council changes administration, the better. More services need to be taken back inhouse to keep control of quality, accountability and standards.
It’ll never happen, councils, anywhere, just don’t have the resources to do what they used to do. Anything that can be contracted out, will be.
Very interesting seeing this work all come together; I imagine the challenge in maintaining the historical elements of the terraces being quite significant, from what I’ve read about it. Well done to Brighton Council for continuing to progress this project.
What’s the point. Iron plus sea air is disastrous. Replace with alternative materials
First time around lasted over 100 years which is pretty good going so I guess the renewals lasting well over 100 years is too short for you?
“Forging ahead” wasn’t wasted on me.!