THE FURTHER deterioration of Madeira Drive’s terraces could damage its ability to host major events, councillors and event organisers have warned.

The collapse fears surrounding the arches could cause further problems for a number of high-profile and income-generating events on Brighton’s seafront.

Brighton Speed Trials organisers said that closing off access to terraces in recent years had significantly hit crowd numbers and warned that more extensive scaffolding being put up later this year could impact on access to water and electricity.

Brighton Speed Trials vice chairman Leonard Woller said the increased temporary buildings and scaffolding propping up the arches meant fewer cars could be allocated room in the race paddock for this year’s event on Saturday September 5.

He added: “The biggest impact has been the ongoing closure of the middle terrace.

“We used to get 10,000 people down there and now we only get about 3,000 so obviously there’s a financial impact there

“We’ve had to bring in a giant TV screen and more raised seating for this year’s event for spectators.

“When they bring in the new fence, then the water and electricity will be behind it and any event needing water and electricity won’t be able to get to it.”

Conservative councillor Vanessa Brown, who sat on the council's seafront scrutiny panel last year, said: “The fear is that some of the things that happen on Madeira Drive, the marathon, the half marathon, some of the car shows, will start being put off from using it.

“We’ve already lost the use of the upper terrace for spectators which is a real shame.

“The marathon and half marathon bring so many people and so much money into the city, all this is not doing our tourism industry any favours.”

Brighton Marathon founder Tim Hutchings described the demise of the arches as “tragic” but said providing there was some roadway his event would remain at Madeira Drive.

He said: "In recent years we have expanded onto the beach with our charity village and cinema and we have got potential to do that further if we need to.

“As long as there is some roadway, we will be fine.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: “We are not anticipating any problems staging regular or new events on the road.

“We don’t believe there will be any problems supplying water or electricity to the site.”

GALLERY AND STUDIO SET TO BE RELOCATED

The Argus: Artist Julie-Anne Gilburt moving into her Madeira Drive studio converted from public toilets ten years ago.Artist Julie-Anne Gilburt in her Madeira Drive studio ten years ago.

THE JAG Gallery and Studio 284 rehearsal space in Madeira Drive were told on Wednesday last week they would have to move out within weeks after further corroding of the seafront arches was uncovered.

Parts of the terraces were fenced off earlier this summer but recent structural surveys revealed the situation is much more serious with parts of bays one to five now beyond repair and in danger of collapse.

Brighton and Hove City Council said the severity of the situation had forced them to take immediate action to ensure the area is safe for tenants and the public with piecemeal repairs to the structure no longer viable.

Such is the weakness found within the structure, the arches are at risk of “progressive collapse” which is also endangering Concorde 2 almost half a mile further down the seafront road.

Over the next two months work will be carried out to stabilise the arches either side of the music venue which will also be subject to a structural inspection.

Concorde 2 will remain open and temporary road closures will be in place outside on Friday and Saturday nights to create a safe space for gig-goers.

The temporary fencing along the length of the Terraces will be replaced with a more permanent anti-climb fence after the summer season.

The council is working with the tenants of Studio 284 and JAG Gallery on relocation.