BUILDERS have started work on Brighton newest seafront attraction with the construction of Brighton Zip wire's distinctive spiral staircase.

It looks as though the Brighton Zip will be open in time for the summer holidays after it was originally predicted to be in use by Easter.

Once the construction is complete it will stand at 75ft or 22.5m high, and a 300m long zip line will run to a boat-like landing pad based in Madeira Drive, opposite Atlingworth Street.

The £1.7 million attraction is a replacement for the Brighton Wheel, situated near Brighton Palace Pier.

A café with a capacity of 140 people with an open glass-fronted terrace is also planned to be added.

Dubbed “a sporty alternative to the i360” it is estimated up to 32,000 customers annually could take the plunge with up to 6,500 customers a month at its busiest. 

This prediction is based on a maximum of 24 riders using the zip wire each hour using its two cables.

Owners Paramount Entertainment plan to open the attraction from 10am until 11pm all year round although the weather is likely to limit this.

The plans were approved unanimously by Brighton and Hove’s planning committee last October, despite concerns raised by residents. 

Councillors were told that stag and hen parties and others who had been drinking would not be allowed on the ride as a safety precaution. 

Paramount say the attraction will create up to 40 full time and part time jobs.