Arches work could 'avoid catastrophic collapse'

Plans for urgent work on arches along a section of Brighton seafront to "avoid a catastrophic collapse" are to be discussed by councillors.

On Thursday, Brighton & Hove City Council cabinet members will look at a plan to continue to strengthen and secure the future of the King's Road arches, that sit below the A259.

Phases one to three of the project are complete, with phase four to focus on an area between the bandstand and the i360, the council said.

Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, said: "The new arches will create an improved space for local businesses on a busy and vibrant part of the seafront, which gets hundreds of thousands of visitors every year."

Subject to approval, the Department for Transport would fund more than £22m to complete phases four and five of the scheme, according to the council.

The authority said it would also contribute a further £3.9m, with £1.8m coming from public borrowing.

Once completed, the Victorian arches would be safe and usable for another 100 years, the council added.

The work on phase four would require the temporary closure of the King's Road paddling pool area.

The project saw a section west of the i360 repaired in 2014, a section east of the i360 repaired in 2015 and Shelter Hall built in 2021.

Muten added: "The first three phases of this project saw the creation of new shops, toilets and Shelter Hall.

"These next two will see the culmination of years of work for a better and lasting seafront."

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