Our plans for Black Rock

Phase 1 - update

We have developed the Black Rock rejuvenation project to resolve the problems that have led to the Black Rock site remaining vacant for over 40 years. We have also started to improve the local area by making it more accessible and visually appealing as part of these phased improvements. 

The project is being led by Brighton & Hove City Council, with funding provided by Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership. 

The aspiration to redevelop this important seafront site has not happened because of a range of reasons. We are addressing these via the new infrastructure works. 

So far we have delivered: 

• a realigned and extended sea wall 
• improved coastal defences 
• a decontaminated and levelled site 
• a new beach boardwalk from the Volk’s Station at Black Rock to the Volk’s Workshops at the junction with Duke’s Mound 
• junction upgrades at Duke’s Mound to improve pedestrian and cycle safety. 
• a new sustainable transport link between the eastern seafront and Brighton Marina 

In the short term, the Black Rock site will host outdoor events, and the new infrastructure will improve the experience for all visitors to the area.  

Phase 2

In the longer term (approximately 3 years), a permanent redevelopment will begin at Black Rock. In December 2022, Policy & Resources Committee agreed to produce a development brief for the future development of this important site by spring 2024. During this time the site can be used as an outdoor entertainment space. 

Access improvements

We have created a new crossing to improve access between Volk’s Railway and the Old Reading Room. We have installed a new decked area and boardwalk extending onto the beach.  

The new boardwalk is fully accessible and, as part of the final phase of the project, features a new pedestrian route leading all the way to Brighton Marina via a walkway inside the new sea wall. Making it easier to walk and cycle will improve accessibility and also promote more sustainable methods of travel.

Madeira Drive and Duke's Mound

In Phase 1 of the project we delivered junction upgrades at Duke’s Mound to improve pedestrian and cycle safety.  

We have installed upgraded crossing points and improved existing crossing points on Volk’s Railway, along with new improved lighting columns along Madeira Drive. 

A new 3-metre wide boardwalk runs from the existing Volk’s Workshop in the west to the Volk’s Station at Black Rock. As part of the final phase of the project it will then connect to a path along the new sea wall leading to Brighton Marina. 

Brighton Marina link

It's been an ambition for the city and Brighton Marina to provide a direct public transport link from the eastern seafront into Brighton Marina. 

To move one step closer to a seafront hopper service along the coast, funding from Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership has allowed works to take place. This will create a new link beneath the current ramps. 

In the future this will create the opportunity for a shuttle link to operate along the eastern seafront. Whilst this remains a future ambition, we will provide the vital infrastructure to allow this to take place. 

This will also provide a new direct link for cyclists and pedestrians and improve upon the current steep access to the north of the site or the subway access to the south. This access will be a permanent public route into the Marina from the Black Rock site. 

Getting smart – Duke’s Mound improvements

We have made significant improvements to the junctions at both ends of Duke’s Mound to improve safety and make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to access the eastern seafront. 

We have delivered the following upgrades in Phase 1 of the project:

• a new public realm area in the space previously occupied by the Volk’s Railway storage depot with seating, signage, planting and direct access onto the beach
• smart traffic signals that adapt to support vehicle movement or prioritise pedestrians - as required - at top and bottom of Duke’s Mound 
• five new accessible crossing points onto the new beach Boardwalk 
• improvements to the lower junction to provide a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists  
• an ecology trail showcasing the work carried out to protect and improve the vegetated shingle along the seafront 

In the longer term, the whole of Madeira Drive will receive improvements. 

The eastern seafront is steeped in history, but some of its heritage assets have fallen into decline and need a new lease of life.

A new chapter for the Black Rock Reading Room 

The Reading Room at Black Rock has been restored and has re-opened its doors as a refectory. It provides a unique new venue for residents and visitors to meet, eat and relax.

The historic building has been restored as part of the Black Rock Rejuvenation Project, with funding from the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership.

It was built in 1835 and designed by architect William Kendall. The Grade II-listed Old Reading Room was originally built to provide shelter for residents of Lewes Crescent seeking a place to read in comfort, with a view of the sea.

It was later used for meetings of the Kemp Town Committee and as a plant store and potting shed. 

Restoration work included restoring the historic archways and pillars and installing floor-to-ceiling windows. It has spectacular sea views, along with a terrace for outdoor seating.

The Black Rock rejuvenation will deliver public realm improvements to make Black Rock a more attractive place to visit. 

The project will also improve connectivity between the eastern seafront and Brighton Marina. 

The project includes a beach boardwalk along the eastern seafront that is accessible to everyone, including wheelchair users. 

Beach boardwalk 

The Black Rock rejuvenation aims to make the eastern seafront a more sustainable, accessible, and attractive place to visit. A new beach boardwalk opened spring 2022. 

It starts near the western end of Duke’s Mound beside the Volk’s Electric Railway Workshop and runs along the eastern seafront to Black Rock Station. 

Pedestrians will be able to reach Brighton Marina via a walkway running along the line of the new sea wall to the existing subway or by using the new link to the Marina. 

Public art 

A vital part of revitalising the eastern seafront is making it more attractive for visitors. The council will install artworks across the project area. This includes on the retaining wall beside the proposed new cycle route from Black Rock to Brighton Marina, making this more visually appealing. 

Art helps to bring public spaces alive, and fresh designs will be coming to Black Rock. The project team recognises Black Rock is known for its street art, and wants to provide eye-catching public art to capture the unique spirit of Brighton and Black Rock. 

Signage and wayfinding 

The project will include improvements to make it easier for people to navigate the eastern seafront. We will place information boards throughout the area, create new routes, and upgrade existing ones. 

Bringing back native species

The Black Rock rejuvenation will deliver environmental and ecological improvements. This will make the eastern seafront a greener, more accessible, and attractive place to visit. 

We will create an ecology trail, and we are removing invasive non-native species from the Kemp Town Slopes. We will also reintroduce native plants, wildflowers, and chalk grassland. 

We will create a new ecology trail to encourage people to find out more about the biodiversity of the eastern seafront. 

We have increased the amount of vegetated shingle at the eastern seafront. We relocated some of the vegetated shingle to allow us to realign the sea wall. 

1.5-hectare area of bare shingle beach

The additional area of 1.5 hectares of vegetated shingle will provide a net gain in biodiversity all along the new beach boardwalk and will be over five times larger than the original Local Wildlife Site.   A new habitat has been created by replanting and reseeding the additional area.

Biodiversity improvements at a glance

1. A new habitat of approximately 1.5 hectares of shingle beach has been vegetated through replanting and reseeding. 
2. Reducing the non-native Tamarisk and Euonymus on the face of Kemp Town Slopes has made paths more accessible and opened up views of the sea. The aim of the project is to permanently remove the tamarisk and restore native grassland and wildflowers. 
3. New seating will replace the current benches looking out to sea from the Duke’s Mound pathways.
4. An ecology trail will be provided with information boards for users. This guided walk will improve ecological knowledge, and there will be low protective fencing to discourage veering from the dedicated route, thus avoiding disturbance to this sensitive habitat. 

The Living Coast

The Living Coast is Brighton & Lewes Downs UNESCO World Biosphere region. Biospheres are leading areas for sustainable development, containing world class environments for people and nature. 

Brighton & Hove City Council are the lead partners in The Living Coast. We work hard to make sure council projects are supporting the global Biosphere values and connecting people and nature. 

The Living Cost partnership also provides expert input and opportunities to share learning from similar, innovative projects from around the world. 

Vegetated shingle planting 

Here are some examples of native species that have formed part of the reseeding and replanting in phase one of the Black Rock Project. 

Crambe maritima, Sea kale

Glaucium flavum, Yellow horned poppy

Helianthemum canum, Hoart rockrose

Hippophae rhamnoides, Sea buck-thorn

As part of wider ecology improvements, a large section of the existing non-native, invasive tamarisk bushes on Duke’s Mound were cut back in winter 2021.  

As Tamarisk is an invasive and resistant shrub, further works are required, and these will be undertaken in autumn 2023. 

We aim to allow re-establishment of the locally distinct native chalk grassland: an open and attractive, colourful landscape fitting with the Sussex setting, which will attract new wildlife into the area and be sustainable long-term. 

Tamarisk is well-adapted to a marine environment but its proliferation has created dark and unwelcoming pathways and public realm space. Our proposals seek to re-introduce sea views, provide new seating and a biodiversity strategy that prevents the return of the tamarisk within a defined area.  

The new habitat will start to emerge over the next few years and will require some limited management. 

We will recycle trimmings and cuttings in a sustainable way, as green-waste composting. 

Example of native grassland

View of Duke’s Mound overgrown with Tamarisk

View within Duke’s Mound

Non-native Tamarisk

Existing vegetation

Proposed vegetation