Madeira Terrace steps shut as renovation continues

Work is progressing on the back wall of Madeira Terrace near Royal Crescent meaning the steps are closed

A set of steps leading to Brighton seafront have been closed so work to restore the arches and promenade at Madeira Terrace can continue.

Work began on restoring the first 28 of the terrace's 151 arches in November 2024.

The Royal Crescent steps were closed last month while arches 87 to 89 were removed and have now shut again for two weeks for work on the back wall.

The nearest alternative steps leading from Marine Parade down to Madeira Drive are either at Duke's Mound or opposite Rock Place.

Parts of the structure are being taken away for restoration

Madeira Terrace is a Grade II listed, 865-metre long stretch of seafront arches and promenade on Madeira Drive, built in the late 1800s.

Between 2015 and 2016, the terrace closed to public access as the structure was unsafe, Brighton & Hove City Council said.

Bungaroosh - stone and brick bound with lime render - was used when building parts of the back wall to help hold back the unstable cliff face in the 1830s.

The council said some of the bungaroosh must be removed and replaced with modern materials to bring it up to today's safety standards.

Other work under way includes the dismantling of the upper decking and taking down the truss and columns of each arch to send away for restoration.

Work to install a new electricity supply to the arches begins in the next three months, and the council hopes the first phase of restored arches will be open to the public in 2026.