Works are currently underway to restore a section of the Madeira Terrace on Brighton seafront.
The work will see 28 of the arches between the Royal Crescent steps and Concorde 2 restored, as well as installing a new lift and full replacement of the upper deck.
The works began at the site in November 2024 and is described by the council as one of their “most ambitious and technical engineering projects”.
In order to limit the scheme’s environmental impact, the council is aiming to reuse as much of the existing materials as possible, including the cast iron and soil.
Work underway at Madeira Terrace (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)
Earlier this year, sections of the cast iron structure were sent to a specialist foundry for testing and repair. The testing is to prove that the structural cast iron can be successfully repaired and reused.
Following a first round of testing which was inconclusive, additional tests took place and the team behind the project has now confirmed that the original structural cast iron can be reused.
The council has said this will provide a significant environmental saving, with the casting of iron generating around 8 tonnes of CO₂ emissions for every tonne of cast iron created, whereas the repair is expected to generate less than an eighth of this.
The team also revealed that the first sections of lift steels have arrived at the site. These will form part of a new, fully accessible lift providing people with access from the pavement on Marine Parade to Madeira Drive.
It’s expected that most of the steels for the lift will have arrived by Christmas.
The cast iron structure was stripped back earlier this year (Image: The Argus Staff)
Councillor Jacob Taylor, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and City Regeneration at Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “We know people are understandably eager to see the first phase of Madeira Terrace completed and open to the public to enjoy; this is an incredibly technical restoration which will take time and require patience.
“We’re determined to reuse as much of the structure as we can – to restore rather than replace. We know it is what many of our funders expect from the project and is also central to our commitment to being heritage-led in this first phase.
“The structure is more than 100 years old, so repairing and restoring is not without its challenges and there may be times, such as with our recent cast iron testing, where this approach takes slightly longer. Taking time and care to lovingly restore this beautiful and iconic structure is the right thing to do.”
Lord Bassam, who chairs the Seafront Development Board added: “Madeira Terrace has the potential to once again be the jewel in the crown of this city’s seafront and it is fantastic to see the first phase of its restoration progressing.
“It is absolutely appropriate that every effort is taken to restore this amazing structure. “I’m looking forward to the first sections of repaired cast iron being put back in place and for residents and visitors to see this ambitious restoration really starting to take shape.
“With the lift steels arriving on site, there is a real excitement building around the project’s progress.”
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