The authority has stood by its work after locals argued the £280,000 set aside for seafront upkeep falls substantially short of what is required to address corroded railings and weathered shelters.

Brighton and Hove City Council recently revealed it had obtained the five-figure sum to mend and restore seafront railings, seating and shelters, as well as continuing safety assessments, cleaning and vital maintenance to promenades and public spaces.

With six kilometres of railings, 18 shelters and 19 cucumber-shaped benches, the authority acknowledged the funding could not address the entire seafront but stated it was seeking additional finances.

Deputy leader Jacob Taylor noted resources are limited but stated the authority was committed to doing everything possible to ensure the area looks its best.

Tony Prior has resided in Hove for 47 years and maintains he has observed a steady deterioration of the seafront condition.

He walks along the promenade every day and is disappointed by the condition of the streetlights, benches, shelters and railings, together with the state of some beach huts and the quantity of shingle left behind after storms.

He stated they had done very little for an extended period and suggested the funding might only cover approximately ten percent of requirements.

He estimated that fully painting, treating and repairing all street furniture would likely exceed one million pounds.

Ian Bushe, 76, from Hove, shared the view that additional funding was necessary. He stated the sum would not stretch far.

Lindsay Skene, 39, from Brighton expressed appreciation that the money was being allocated, while Kim Hammond, 56, from Telscombe suggested the community should perhaps take a more active role rather than depending solely on the council.

Tony noted that many railings, shelters and lampposts had been painted by council workers just two years prior but were already showing significant rust.

Seafront maintenance poses a significant challenge for authorities due to rapid, accelerated corrosion from salt spray, elevated humidity, wind and sand, necessitating continuous, expensive care and specialised materials.

The grandfather believes that despite authorities repainting as frequently as every two to three years, this represents only a temporary measure.

He explained that repainting is entirely wasteful. The structures require dismantling, sand blasting and hot galvanising which leaves them silver in colour. If necessary they can then be powder coated, or painted, before being put back in place.

Brighton and Hove City Council has completed and continues to carry out various enhancements to the city’s seafront.

Significant work is presently under way to restore 28 of Madeira Terrace’s arches and last May the authority opened Hove Beach Park, a new development costing £13.7 million.

A seafront development board has also been established to supervise the transformation of the seafront, including councillors, architects, garden designers, developers and business representatives.

Various sections along the promenade remain covered with shingle deposited over the railings during storms throughout the winter.

Tony notes that some was finally removed, but solely in readiness for the Brighton Marathon.

He claims a section between the Lifeguards Post and Rockwater has not been cleared for a minimum of three winters.

He stated that Worthing and Bognor have a system for tidying the seafront when shingle arrives.

They have a dedicated team within the council which deploys as many workers as possible to clear it within 48 hours. He questioned why, if they could afford this, the area could not do the same.

Although many beach huts along the seafront are attractively painted in various colourful stripes, some have fallen into disrepair, and some are even sealed off.

Beach huts face similar exposure to corrosive salt wind and require repainting every one to two years to remain in good condition.

Tony believes the council should take steps to ensure hut owners are informed of their responsibility to maintain the huts properly and that necessary repairs are carried out promptly.

What are your thoughts on the seafront condition?

One respondent stated the council definitely needed to address broken sections of railings, which had been in that state for years, with many acquaintances also complaining.

They noted it was hazardous, with children potentially injuring themselves on the damaged sections.

They suggested rust on the rails should be addressed as a priority, with dangerous sections replaced entirely.

Some sections had completely disappeared.

They observed that numerous visitors came to the area for the beach, so addressing the seafront represented a significant priority, with tourism generating considerable revenue for other purposes.

John Samuel, 36, Hove

One resident described the Hove seafront as looking worn and stated the beach furniture appeared to require replacement.

They expressed appreciation that the funding was being spent and hoped improvements would follow. The beach attracted tourists.

Another local noted the railings definitely needed addressing.

They lived on the seafront and believed action was important.

The situation was challenging due to numerous issues requiring attention. The sum would not extend far.

Ian Bushe, 76, Hove

One resident emphasised how vital tourism was for Hove.

Investing in Hove’s image for visitors and the revenue generated would return benefits many times over.

Even basic cleaning would improve the appearance for tourists.

The area needed to maintain its appeal to encourage repeat visits rather than leaving visitors with a negative impression.

Tourism had declined and the council appeared to be preventing efforts to preserve what should be a quality destination.

Simple prioritisation could make a significant difference.

Many local residents were willing to contribute, such as by ensuring the seafront was cleaned and similar activities.

If everyone took responsibility for their area and showed up to maintain it, positive results would follow.

Irene Ashworth, 62, Worthing

One resident stated the entire stretch required work to make it pleasant for residents and visitors alike.

They noted visitors to Brighton typically headed to West Street and the Palace Pier.

This stretch for local residents was poor.

Bins would overflow during summer months.

The floral clock had been attractive, and while they understood budget reductions were necessary, comparing the area to Torquay or Eastbourne showed those destinations were considerably more attractive.

The council could follow Worthing’s approach, where past Splash Point Leisure Centre there was a small garden.

Perhaps greater community involvement was needed rather than sole reliance on the council.

Kim Hammond, 56, Telscombe

One resident observed that looking at those railings, they were dangerous, particularly during high winds. The area was a tourist destination after all.

Sue, who did not provide her surname or age

One resident noted the benches frequently appeared worn and never seemed in good condition. Homeless individuals sheltered there.

They would welcome railings being repaired. There was constant need for improvement.

The spending was worthwhile for attracting tourism.

Matt from Hove, who did not provide his surname or age

What does the council say?

Councillor Jacob Taylor, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and city regeneration at Brighton and Hove City Council, stated that managing and maintaining the seafront was an enormous operation and the recently announced £280,000 investment represented merely the beginning of longer-term plans to restore and revitalise the area.

The authority was exploring innovative ways to fund additional work, such as the sale of new beach huts, which was expected to nearly double the £280,000 already allocated.

Significant work was also presently under way to strengthen coastal defences in Hove, which would help prevent recurring problems such as shingle being deposited on the promenade and damaging seafront furniture.

Alongside financial investment, the authority was also introducing new techniques and methods to ensure any improvements lasted longer.

For instance, specialist modern paint coatings would be used, which maintained their appearance for extended periods compared to types traditionally used in railing refurbishment.

The reality was that, like other authorities throughout the UK, resources were limited.

However, the seafront was unmistakably the city’s showcase, and the authority was determined to do everything possible to ensure it looked its absolute best.