25 April 2025

Biggest sea defences scheme in Hove on the horizon

Plans are now underway to begin the next phase of the sea defences scheme in Hove and Southwick.

The Brighton Marina to River Adur scheme aims to protect the coastline from coastal erosion by providing new measures and replacing sea defences.

The latest project runs from Kings Esplanade in Hove to Shoreham and is the biggest to be undertaken in this area. Work has already been done to build a protective layer of rock next to Basin Road South and a new sea wall near the Hove Deep Sea Anglers Club.

The next stage involves building new timber groynes, extending the beach between the King Alfred Leisure and Second Avenue and rebuilding sea defences on Southwick beach.

As a long-term project operating in a changing financial climate, over the last 5 years it has been affected by rising global costs and availability of materials and resources. At Brighton & Hove’s cabinet meeting on 24 April, councillors agreed to increase funding for the next phase from £6.5 million to £11 million.

Investing to protect homes and businesses from coastal flooding

Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and Public Realm, said: “This scheme is vital for the city, to safeguard homes and businesses from coastal flooding and protect our local economy for decades to come. By taking action now, we will help make our city more climate resilient and able to adapt to increasing storms, extreme rainfall and rising sea levels.

“We are committed to value for money to deliver the best for our city. £4.5 million is a substantial sum, but our local visitor economy alone is worth £5 billion*. This increase is due to inflationary costs affecting infrastructure projects nationwide, together with the need for additional shingle replenishment to stabilise the beach bays.

“We are a seafront destination, with important business hubs and transport links based around Shoreham Port and the A259 coast road. It is also densely populated, so this is an investment to protect our city, our residents and local businesses from flooding for the long term.”

*Local Visitor Economy Partnership, February 2025

Working in partnership to deliver value for money

Brighton & Hove is working in partnership with Adur & Worthing Councils, Shoreham Port and the Environment Agency on this project. The partners share resources to deliver better value for money across the low-lying vulnerable coastal stretch and apply for available grants.

The work is due to take place from late September 2025 to May 2026, timed to take place to avoid the summer season. During the work, the council will enable seafront businesses to remain open. The work will create more space for people to enjoy, protect the city from sea level rise and storms and lead to fewer pebbles being thrown up onto the promenade during heavy storms.

At Southwick beach the work will start during 2026 with completion by April 2027.