Brighton Bids £41 Million to Repair 38 More King's Road Arches in Phases 6 and 7
King's Road carries more than 25,000 vehicles and 2,100 cyclists a day. Image: Brighton and Hove City Council
Brighton and Hove City Council's Cabinet met on 3 September 2026 to discuss a £41 million bid to the Department for Transport's Structures Fund for Phases 6 and 7 of the A259 Seafront Arches Renewal Programme. If the bid succeeds, it would fund the repair and strengthening of 38 more seafront arches supporting King's Road, focusing on the arches to the east of Shelter Hall. The council is asking Cabinet to approve a £4 million local contribution to strengthen the bid's competitiveness, though that approval does not commit the council to spend the money unless the bid is successful and a full business case is approved separately.
The bid was submitted to the DfT on 3 August 2026 before Cabinet could formally meet to approve it, due to the submission deadline. Cabinet is now being asked to ratify the council's participation. The DfT is expected to announce funding awards in autumn 2026.
Why the Arches Need Replacing
Surveys have found that the Victorian arches running beneath King's Road are in urgent need of replacing to avoid collapse. Failure to act 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 every day, making it one of the busiest routes in the city. The arches beneath it are home to dozens of seafront businesses and form a critical part of Brighton's visitor economy.
Total bid value
£41m
DfT grant sought
£37m
Council contribution
£4m
Arches to be repaired
38
Source: Brighton and Hove City Council Cabinet report, 3 September 2026
Cllr Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure, said:
"If approved, this would be an extremely important funding bid that would help secure our seafront for decades to come. King's Road is one of the busiest roads in the city and is a key route for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. Investing to ensure it remains safe and working is vital for Brighton and Hove. This is more than just an infrastructure project. Renewing the arches is an opportunity to keep our seafront a vibrant place for residents, visitors and the local businesses who use it."
The council's specialist consultants advised that a local contribution of around 10% of the total scheme cost would significantly strengthen the bid against what is expected to be highly competitive national demand for the DfT's £1 billion Structures Fund. The scheme must be complete and open to traffic by 31 March 2030 under the DfT's requirements.
Brighton and Hove City Council's Cabinet met on 3 September 2026 to discuss a £41 million bid to the Department for Transport's Structures Fund for Phases 6 and 7 of the A259 Seafront Arches Renewal Programme. If the bid succeeds, it would fund the repair and strengthening of 38 more seafront arches supporting King's Road, focusing on the arches to the east of Shelter Hall. The council is asking Cabinet to approve a £4 million local contribution to strengthen the bid's competitiveness, though that approval does not commit the council to spend the money unless the bid is successful and a full business case is approved separately.
The bid was submitted to the DfT on 3 August 2026 before Cabinet could formally meet to approve it, due to the submission deadline. Cabinet is now being asked to ratify the council's participation. The DfT is expected to announce funding awards in autumn 2026.
Why the Arches Need Replacing
Surveys have found that the Victorian arches running beneath King's Road are in urgent need of replacing to avoid collapse. Failure to act 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 every day, making it one of the busiest routes in the city. The arches beneath it are home to dozens of seafront businesses and form a critical part of Brighton's visitor economy.
Total bid value
£41m
DfT grant sought
£37m
Council contribution
£4m
Arches to be repaired
38
Source: Brighton and Hove City Council Cabinet report, 3 September 2026
Cllr Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure, said:
"If approved, this would be an extremely important funding bid that would help secure our seafront for decades to come. King's Road is one of the busiest roads in the city and is a key route for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. Investing to ensure it remains safe and working is vital for Brighton and Hove. This is more than just an infrastructure project. Renewing the arches is an opportunity to keep our seafront a vibrant place for residents, visitors and the local businesses who use it."
The council's specialist consultants advised that a local contribution of around 10% of the total scheme cost would significantly strengthen the bid against what is expected to be highly competitive national demand for the DfT's £1 billion Structures Fund. The scheme must be complete and open to traffic by 31 March 2030 under the DfT's requirements.
The arches east of Shelter Hall are the focus of Phases 6 and 7. Image: Brighton and Hove City Council
Where Phases 6 and 7 Fit In
The A259 Seafront Arches Renewal Programme has been running since 2012 and covers the full length of the arches beneath King's Road. The project became more urgent in 2014 when the arch housing the Fortune of War pub collapsed, closing the seafront road for several months.
Phase 1
26 arches rebuilt into shops and new public toilets. First shops opened summer 2014. Won a Sussex Heritage Trust Award for outstanding conservation work.
Phase 2
33 arches strengthened from the Regency Square subway to the Metropole Hotel, between The Seahorse restaurant and the West Pier.
Phase 3
Creation of Shelter Hall, new public toilets on the lower promenade and a new walkway and sea wall.
Phases 4 and 5 (underway)
Funded by £22 million from the DfT and £3.9 million from the council. Phase 4 focuses on the area between the bandstand and the i360. Phase 5 covers the area west of Shelter Hall. Work is beginning imminently. The King's Road paddling pool and playground will close during Phase 4, with a new facility planned for 2027.
Phases 6 and 7 (bid submitted)
38 arches east of Shelter Hall, subject to the DfT Structures Fund bid being successful. Announcement expected autumn 2026. Must be complete by 31 March 2030.
If the bid is successful, the council will return to Cabinet with a full business case, funding strategy and capital financing arrangements before any money is committed. Letters of support have been provided by the Sussex and Brighton Strategic Authority and Transport for South-East. Failing to secure external funding would leave the council with the full future cost of maintaining and renewing the arches itself.
Shelter Hall was created in Phase 3 of the arches programme. Image: Brighton and Hove City Council
We covered the Phase 4 and 5 funding announcement when it was confirmed earlier this year. You can read that story here: Major Funding Boost for Brighton's King's Road Arches.
More from ImJustBrighton
→ Major Funding Boost for Brighton's King's Road Arches → A259 Hove to Brighton Cycle Lane Plans: Survey, Drawings and Drop-in Dates