Plans to improve sea defences and prevent flooding along the Brighton and Hove coastline during high tides have been put forward.

Brighton and Hove City Council's environment committee is being recommended on Thursday to accept the findings of a report into sea defences between Brighton Marina and Shoreham Harbour.

They include increasing the size of groynes and beaches near the King Alfred leisure centre and King's Esplande in Hove.

Similar work will have to be carried out near Hove Lagoon, extending into Shoreham port. More shingle will have to be put on to beaches near the port.

Some of the shingle could come from beaches at Kemp Town and Shoreham Beach, provided local concerns can be met, or it would be dredged off shore.

The existing groynes and sea wall would have to be maintained and replaced when they wear out.

The inner wall of Brighton Marina needs to be increased in height but the marina company would pay for that.

Other money should be made available by the Government for much of the work. The total cost would be more than £10 million.

Monday June 9, 2003