Brighton & Hove City Council is preparing to submit a bid for £41 million to replace a stretch of Victorian arches on the seafront that are at risk of structural failure.
The proposal, which will be discussed by the council’s Cabinet on Thursday 17 September 2026, focuses on 38 arches located to the east of Shelter Hall. These structures provide essential support for the A259 King’s Road, a major coastal transport corridor.
If the bid to the Department for Transport is successful, the council plans to contribute £4 million toward the total project cost, which covers phases 6 and 7 of the A259 Seafront Arches Renewal Programme. The council has warned that failure to rebuild the arches could eventually force the closure of the westbound lane of the A259 and the seafront cycle lane to ensure public safety.
Project timeline and current progress
The renewal programme is already moving forward in other sections of the seafront. Work on phases 4 and 5 is expected to begin in the coming weeks, supported by a £22 million government grant awarded earlier in 2026.
The upcoming Cabinet discussion follows previous successful work in phases 1 to 3, which included the restoration of Shelter Hall. Of the 38 arches identified in the latest bid for phases 6 and 7, 12 are privately owned by five different businesses.
The Cabinet meeting is scheduled to take place on 17 September 2026, where councillors will decide whether to proceed with the £41 million funding application and the council’s own £4 million financial commitment.
