Strengthening the seafront for the next century

Councillors will discuss a plan to strengthen and secure the future of a key part of the city’s seafront next week.

Cabinet members will be presented with a report recommending the continuation of a project to bolster and repair the King’s Road arches that sit underneath the main seafront road (A259).

With phases 1, 2 and 3 already complete, phase 4 would focus on an area between the bandstand and the i360. Phase 5 would move to the area west of Shelter Hall.

Once completed, it would make the arches and road above it safe and usable for the next 100 years and provide a new and improved space for local businesses.

Subject to their approval, the Department for Transport would fund more than £22 million to complete phases 4 and 5 of the scheme. The council would contribute a further £3.9 million, with £1.8 million of that coming from public borrowing.

Picture: A section of the King's Road arches 

Why is this work needed?

The arches underneath King’s Road were built in the Victorian era.

Surveys have found they’re now in urgent need of replacing to avoid a catastrophic collapse, which would close the road and make the area unusable.

King’s Road carries an average of more than 25,000 vehicles and 2,100 cyclists a day.

Making these vital repairs would mark the continuation of a project that saw a section west of the i360 repaired in 2014, a section east of the i360 repaired in 2015 and Shelter Hall built in 2021.

More information on the project can be found in the report being presented to Cabinet. 

The King’s Road paddling pool

The work on phase 4 would require closure of the King’s Road paddling pool area while it’s taking place.

This gives us an opportunity to work with the local community on creating a new and improved facility.

Cabinet members will be asked to approve a feasibility study on potential options before a public consultation to gather the thoughts and ideas of city residents.

Securing the future of our seafront

Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure, said: “This is a really important project for the future of our seafront. The arches have served the city well, but they need strengthening so they can support the road, pavement and cycle lanes above for the next 100 years.

“But this is more than a road re-construction project. The new arches will create an improved space for local businesses on a busy and vibrant part of the seafront, which gets hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

“It also gives us a great opportunity to look at the future of the King’s Road paddling pool. This is a hugely popular space and we want to make the best use of it. We’re going to work closely with the community to make sure we create an area for the benefit and enjoyment of everyone.

“The first three phases of this project saw the creation of new shops, toilets and Shelter Hall. These next two will see the culmination of years of work for a better and lasting seafront.”