A contractor has been confirmed for the restoration of a Grade II* listed terrace.

Brighton and Hove City Council has appointed civil engineering contractor JT Mackley & Co. to make improvements to Madeira Terrace.

The business has previously worked on other heritage structures, including world heritage sites and listed buildings, as well as past repairs to the terrace.

JT Mackley & Co. will have been chosen for the first phase of the restoration.

Phase one will see 28 of the 151 ornate arches and bays restored. It will also include a new lift, the council said.

There will be "full replacement of the upper deck with a waterproofed deck, infrastructure for canopies and shades and for pop-up events".

They will complete "refacing and regreening of the Green Wall", which caused controversy when the council pulled down the foliage facing the sea. Redoing this "will take time to recolonise".

The council also said it will retain several of the best specimens of the Japanese spindle plants, which are older than the Terrace itself.

A new staircase down from the deck near the Concorde 2 Shelter Hall building will be created.

Planted verges at Madeira Drive level will also be reinstated and a more "pedestrian friendly layout" is planned for in front of the Terrace, providing beach access and including two new crossing points.

Restoration of the original seating to the upper deck is promisted.

Councillor Jacob Taylor, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for finance and city regeneration, said: “I am delighted to announce that Mackley has been appointed to this iconic project and that plans are being finalised to start the necessary preparation work on site.

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“We are committed to the restoration of Madeira Terrace and are determined to proceed with it as soon as possible.

“Once the contractor has all the necessary machinery, equipment and materials assembled we will be able to confirm when restoration work will start on site.

“We expect to be able to confirm that date later this month and are working closely with Mackley to ensure a start on site as soon as possible.”