MILLIONS of pounds have been awarded to schemes across Sussex in the Autumn Budget, including £9.5 million to regenerate Hove seafront.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed the government's plans for spending this year in his speech yesterday.
Major announcements included £1.7 billion allocated to schemes across the country as part of the Levelling Up fund.
Five areas in Sussex are included in the first round of bids to be given funding.
Brighton and Hove will receive £9.5 million to help regenerate Hove seafront through the Kingsway To The Sea scheme.
The project aims to remodel the green spaces between the King Alfred Centre and Hove Lagoon, improving biodiversity and providing leisure and sports facilities.
Hove MP Peter Kyle, who was one of the MPs who submitted the bid for the funding, said: "Getting investment into Hove's neglected seafront is an obsession of mine.
"It was great working with our council to develop and submit a grant bid to get started on it.
"I'm totally thrilled that it's been successful and I'm grateful to everyone that played a part in this fantastic team effort."
Work on the Kingsway To The Sea project began in 2018 when the West Hove Forum approached the city council to work on plans to develop the area.
Since then, council officers have been working with the West Hove Seafront Action Group, whose members include residents and representatives from businesses, clubs and voluntary organisations.
Another project receiving cash is Exceat Bridge in Seaford - the Chancellor is handing it £7,957,517.
Maria Caulfield, MP for Lewes, has been campaigning for the bridge between Seaford and East Dean to be rebuilt with two lanes because a bottleneck of traffic regularly forms due to the current one-way system.
Now as part of the Budget a multi-million pound funding package has been allocated which will top up the funding from East Sussex County Council.
Ms Caulfield said: “I am delighted that the Chancellor has listened to myself and local Conservative councillors on this important issue.
"This funding will see the completion of the construction of the two-lane Exceat Bridge, should the South Downs National Park approve the design."
A planning application is due to be decided shortly.
Eastbourne Borough Council has also landed funding - a £19.8 million investment into regeneration of the town.
The money will underpin an ambitious and "far-reaching" plan to link town centre regeneration with a strengthened visitor economy.
The council has announced the money will be allocated to a variety of individual projects including the conversion of Victoria Place, the creation of a culture and education centre at Black Robin Farm, and an investment in the Towner’s Centenary project, creating legacy public artworks across the town.
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Councillor David Tutt, leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, said: “This is a legacy-defining moment in the history of our wonderful town and one that will benefit generations of residents, both now and long into the future."
MP for Eastbourne and Willingdon Caroline Ansell said the money would be a much-needed boost after the pandemic.
She said: "Elements of the bid have real potential to bring transformation to our town by linking the downland to the seafront and the seafront to the town centre - three major moving parts of the Eastbourne engine."
Also receiving funding from the government is Newhaven's West Beach, which will receive a total of £12.68 million.
Lewes District Council successfully bid for the money which will help re-establish the town as a maritime centre and ensure Newhaven’s fishing industry receives the immediate support it needs.
Councillor James MacCleary, cabinet member for regeneration and prosperity and local councillor for Newhaven, said: “I am delighted that our town is finally getting some of the funding it needs after years of neglect. Our local fishing fleet here in the town is a key part of our community and has been let down too often.
"The British fishing industry is on its knees with fishing boats going out of business around the country. That is why that council has worked with partners to prioritise Newhaven fishing."
Finally, the Arun district of Sussex has been allocated a grand total of £19.4 million to benefit the towns of Littlehampton and Bognor.
The improvement projects will focus on The Alexandra Theatre in Bognor and the seafront and riverside area in Littlehampton.
Councillor Shaun Gunner, leader of Arun Council, said: "This is fantastic news for Bognor Regis, Littlehampton and all of Arun.
"Make no mistake, this will have a transformational impact on our district. This is levelling up in action. This isn't just about improving the area we live in, this is about improving the lives and livelihoods of the people of this district."
Rishi Sunak said in his speech funding has been spread across the UK with £170 million in Scotland, £120 million in Wales, and £50 million in Northern Ireland.
A Downing Street spokesman said the Chancellor described how the levelling up agenda would be the "golden thread" that runs through this spending review and budget, delivering on the promise to spread opportunity across the country.
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