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Restoration works at Madeira Terrace begins

Eddie Mitchell A high up shot of the terrace with two workers standing on it. The bottom of the terrace has fences covering it upEddie Mitchell
The restoration is set to be mostly finished by summer 2026

Restoration work on the seafront arches and promenade at Madeira Terrace in Brighton has begun.

The work is starting on the A259 retaining wall which is known as East Cliff Wall and Green Wall.

Brighton & Hove City Council said one of the first steps of the restoration will be to remove existing plants to strengthen the cliff face and allow essential engineering work on the structure.

Jacob Taylor, the council's deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and city regeneration, says the plans "will lead to the Green Wall becoming more biodiverse and greener when the work is completed".

Listen: After a decade of further decay, the restoration of Brighton's seafront terrace to begin

During the restoration work, parking bays between Royal Crescent Steps and Concorde 2/Madeira Shelter Hall will be removed.

The council said it will be announcing alternative parking arrangements shortly.

Royal Crescent Steps will be temporarily closed in early December and advanced notice of these closures will be displayed at the site, according to the council.

George Carden/BBC Two workers in hi vis stand looking at Madeira Terrace in Brighton, ahead of maintenance work beginning on MondayGeorge Carden/BBC
Much of the structure has been closed to the public for a decade

Madeira Terrace is being restored in stages and the council says it hopes for much of the work to be completed by summer 2026.

The Grade II- listed structure was built in the late 1800s but much of it has been closed to the public since 2014 due to the structural deterioration which has made the terrace unsafe.

Despite removing vegetation initially, the council says it aims to improve biodiversity and encourage plants and animals to inhabit the space.

"The planting works are the last stage of the project, and I'm looking forward to seeing the results when we are once more able to enjoy this iconic piece of our heritage," said Mr Taylor.

Eddie Mitchell Two men in orange hi-vis uniforms and white hard hats stand at the bottom of the terrace looking up at itEddie Mitchell
The restoration will cost £14m

Alasdair Glass from the Regency Society said he was "delighted" the work was beginning.

"It's a major historic building, " he told BBC Radio Sussex.

He also said it was believed to be the longest land-based promenade in England, if not the world.

"They probably started to deteriorate soon after they were built," he added.

"It's been difficult, if not impossible, to keep the deck watertight and it's in an extremely exposed seafront position."

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