THE city was dealt a bitter blow last week when it was announced the council’s bid for funding to save the seafront terraces was turned down.

We have waited for the council’s response. And now here it is.

Warren Morgan has called on businesses and residents to dig deep for the £23 million needed for the restoration.

As part of his four-point proposal he said the local authority will also look at crowdfunding, lottery funding and “pop-up” projects to keep Madeira Drive busy and create income ahead of a full restoration. Many will scoff at the proposal.

But at the end of the day it should never have got to this stage

Former councils should hang their heads in shame for letting the arches fall into disrepair.

It was too costly a problem to tackle and has been repeatedly passed down. Whatever you think of the council leader’s new proposal, at least he is tackling the issue head on.

But who really is going to put money forward to help save the arches. Surely that is why we pay our taxes?

Everyone is strapped for cash, council tax is going up and wages are stagnant. It is a tough ask to get people to pay for the project. While today’s plea from the council leader can do no harm, the local authority must continue to explore other options.

Warren Morgan and his team must learn from the failed bid and make sure their next submission is a success. The seafront is about more than just bricks and iron, it is part of what makes Brighton the place we known and love.

To leave this problem to someone else would be a terrible crime. We must do something.