New sea wall constructed to transform Brighton seafront

The original sea wall at Black Rock, which was deteriorating and in urgent need of repair, has been realigned with a new freestanding wall.

When work on the whole site is completed next summer, people will be able to enjoy walking along the wall, with new seating and lighting offering a place to spend time and relax.

Councillor Tom Druitt, chairman of the Eastern Seafront Project Board, said: “It is great to see the new sea wall completed, along with the boardwalk.

“The wall is a key part of the Black Rock Rejuvenation Project, providing us with vital new sea defences while paving the way for exciting development of this once neglected site.

“It benefits both people and the environment as part of many projects happening to tackle the climate and biodiversity emergency we face.

“This important project is already changing the face of the eastern seafront and there is far more to come.”

• READ MORE: Boardwalk unveiled as Black Rock rejuvenation plans are in full swing

Work to construct the new wall started in autumn last year, when platforms were set up on the beach to enable new 11m long steel sheet piles to be installed, providing the core strength to the new wall.

Before work could begin, a probe had to be conducted along the line of the new wall to detect any obstructions, including unexploded ordnance from the Second World War.

The new sea wall features a series of steel sheet piles reinforced with concrete (Image: Brighton and Hove City Council)

Once a series of steel sheet piles were installed, a reinforced concrete face was cast on the seaward side to provide additional strength and resilience.

Dan Argles, contracts manager for construction firm Mackley, said: “We are extremely proud to be involved with the project. 

“With Mackley’s head office situated less than 15 miles from the site, and with our project team all residing in Sussex, it means we feel we are playing our part to improve the area for the good of future generations.

“We look forward to the next phase of our work at Black Rock, upgrading the highways infrastructure around the site to improve future access to the development.”

Relocating the wall has allowed for the creation of several new areas of vegetated shingle, an internationally rare habitat, with the new plants designed to flank the new boardwalk.

Other work now under way includes the restoration of the Grade II listed temple and reading room, which will be transformed into a space to eat and relax, and a new pedestrian and cycle route to connect the whole of the eastern seafront with the marina.