Improvements to Brighton seafront

2:59pm Friday 5th September 2008

Comments (7)   Have your say »

Safety improvements, removal of concrete barriers and restoration of Victorian architecture are planned for a historic stretch of seafront.

Work will start later this month on the Madeira Lift in Brighton, which links Madeira Drive with Marine Parade above it.

The £250,000 project is expected to be finished by Easter next year.

Other proposals being considered for Madeira Drive include better street lighting, more CCTV, replacing concrete barriers with bollards and a heritage centre at the Volks Railway.

But opposition councillors have complained that no money has been identified for the improvements.

The Argus revealed last month that Brighton and Hove City Council had spent more than £15,000 in the past year renting concrete blocks which line the seafront.

The council plans to remove blocks near the Palace Pier once work on protecting weak seafront arches, which can no longer take the weight of coaches, is completed.

The pavement is to be widened and bollards and railings installed from November. Bollards could also replace the remaining temporary concrete barriers, which were put there to prevent unauthorised camping.

The proposals will be considered by Geoffrey Theobald, cabinet member for environment, on Thursday. He is expected to call for an action plan for the area.

He said: “Madeira Drive has already benefited from new facilities and attractions. We have the popular Peter Pan children’s play area, the beach sports centre, currently hosting the World Under-21 Beach Volleyball Championships and it will be a training camp for the London Olympics, and an adventure golf course.

“Other improvements being considered will help to build on the existing amenities and attractions and make the area even more appealing.”

Katie Mintram, director of the Yellowave sports centre, said: “Improvements will continue the great work the council has done between the piers and help develop Madeira Drive as a family-focused area.”

Councillor Gill Mitchell, leader of the Labour opposition, said: “I am pleased the administration has woken up to the need to further improve the area but I am disappointed they haven’t included any funding.”

Green councillor Amy Kennedy said: “Officers have recognised that something needs to be done but we do not know where we will get the money from. The Greens want events like Fatboy Slim’s Big Beach Boutique to put a 50p levy on tickets to improve the seafront.”

Will the improvements encourage more people to the area? Tell us below.