Work will start next week to restore the seafront arches.

Brighton and Hove City Council announced last month that the first phase of the Madeira Terrace project, would begin in late November.

The work will start on Monday, when lead contractor JT Mackley and Co will start to clear rubbish and greenery so repairs can begin on the A259 retaining wall, known as the East Cliff wall or the Green Wall. 

Work to restore the first 28 arches and build a new, fully accessible lift is expected to be completed in summer 2026.

An important part of the renovation of Madeira Terrace is improving biodiversity and revitalising the Green Wall, which has grown along the East Cliff wall for more than 150 years.

During 2022 /23, expert surveys of the plants forming the Green Wall were conducted by the council. 

It revealed that these plants now get most of their nutrients and water from the wall through their aerial roots, rather than from the ground through their main stems.

As a result of this it is not possible to retain the majority of the existing spindle plants, given the works that are needed to the wall.

Madeira Terraces licensed by Creative Commons, (Image: N Chadwick)One of the first operations the contractor will do is to remove the vegetation.

This will be followed by breaking out of the concrete deck. It is the deterioration of the deck that was one of the main reasons the Terrace was closed to the public.

To enable the deck to be dismantled safely the Royal Crescent Steps will be temporarily closed for about one week in early December. 

A spokesman said: "The parking bays between the Royal Crescent Steps and Concorde 2/Madeira Shelter Hall will also be removed and won't re-open until the Terrace opens in summer 2026, but we will announce alternative provision next month. 

"Alternative access points at Duke’s Mound and the Colonnades will remain open throughout the works."

The bays to the east and west of this area will remain available.

Councillor Jacob Taylor Councillor Jacob Taylor, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and city regeneration, said: “The detailed plans have been carefully developed with conservation specialists and with input from the Advisory Panel.

“They will lead to the Green Wall becoming more biodiverse and greener when the work is completed. It will cover far more of the cliff wall than it currently does.

“However, it will take time to achieve this and the first step towards a restored Terrace is to remove the majority of the existing vegetation.

“This is necessary so that essential engineering works can be carried out to the face of the A259 retaining wall, which also supports the Terrace.

“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 be able to enjoy this iconic piece of our heritage in 2026.”