First stage of Brighton Madeira Terrace restoration cut back

Initial plans from Brighton and Hove City Council would have seen 40 arches of the historic cast iron walkway in the first phase of the project.

However, due to increasing costs, the council sought a quote for restoring 28 arches in case restoring 40 proved too costly.

The council has opted to only restore 28 arches as a result of the increased costs of the project.

Councillor Julie Cattell, lead member for major projects on the city council, said: “The council is planning to go out to the second stage of tender process in early December for the first phase of the restoration, which is for 28 arches.”

Madeira Terrace has fallen into disrepair over the years

It comes as council leader Bella Sankey reiterated her commitment to restoring the historic arches.

She clarified comments she made to The Argus in a previous interview, in which she said: “It was a Labour administration that started the restoration project and it will be a Labour administration that finishes it.”

Cllr Sankey said: “What I meant by that is that the Labour Party is the most committed to this project and indeed to restoring our beautiful heritage assets in the city.

“We initially initiated this restoration project and, although I think it is going to take a significant amount of time to complete all of the terraces, I’m determined that if we stay in power as an administration we will see it through.

“I can’t put an end date on that because it is subject to us fundraising further for it.”

Cllr Sankey said she is “really focused” on getting the first phase of the project underway “as quickly as possible”, with more information “in the coming weeks”.

“We want to deliver that first stage and I believe that by showing the world how fantastic our terraces can look when they are lovingly restored, we will be able to use that and get that momentum to further fundraise for the restoration of the remaining terraces,” she said.

“That will be a priority for the administration. It is awful they have been allowed to get into the state that they have. 

“It’s an absolute prime spot on our seafront, it is part of our shopfront to the world and it’s really important to the residents that live in that area that the seafront is accessible, we get the steps and lift restored and people can feel that connection again with something that is so beautiful and really unique.”