UK seaside town named ‘best place to live’ set for huge £24m revamp

A historic piece of infrastructure in one of Britain’s most-loved seaside cities is undergoing a multi-million-pound restoration project to restore it to its glory days.

Madeira Terrace is a Grade-II listed cast iron structure stretching over half a mile along Brighton seafront that was once used as a viewing platform for events on the Madeira Drive promenade by 19th century daytrippers from London arriving on the new railway.

In recent years it has fallen into decay, however, with dangerous structural degradation sped up by its marine environment and issues including graffiti and plant overgrowth.

Brighton and Hove City Council secured planning permission to restore the terrace in 2022 and phase one of the £24 million project kicked off on November 18, The Argus reports.

The work to restore a crucial part of Brighton’s history, which is also the longest cast iron structure in Britain, is being funded by the council as well as through crowd fundraising, a loan from the Public Works Loan Board and a £750,000 grant from Historic England.

The East Sussex city is one of the UK’s most popular tourist spots and frequently tops lists of the best places to live in the country. The council is hoping to boost its appeal further through the new scheme, however, which it is aiming to complete by 2026.

The staggered plan first entails the restoration of 28 of the 151 metal arches between the Royal Crescent steps and Madeira Terrace Shelter Hall and will be the first step towards reinstating a “park” along Brighton’s eastern seafront and connect the beach with the Marine Parade apartment complex.

Brighton and Hove City Council said the first phase of work will also involve installing new seating and space for pop-ups along the stretch for events including live music and food festivals and installing a new fully-accessible lift from the walkway to the seafront.

Jacob Taylor, deputy council leader and cabinet member for finance and city regeneration, said plants on the cliff surface would be removed to facilitate the engineering work before being replaced by a “green wall” with more biodiversity than its predecessor.

He added: “The new climbers and planting will need to establish and have time to grow up the wall. 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 in 2026.”