Work has commenced on restoring a heritage location closely tied to Hastings’ cultural identity.

The section of road at Pelham Crescent, which serves as the covering for the arcade situated at St Mary in the Castle, is being repaired to safeguard and maintain the building for generations ahead.

Hastings Borough Council has given the green light to the scheme, which involves fitting a new waterproofing membrane over the sandstone vaulting, enhancing stormwater management and rebuilding parts of the roadway and pavements.

Councillor Julia Hilton, who serves as the council’s deputy leader and holds the portfolio for Shaping Places, Regeneration and Community Wealth, expressed her pleasure that the scheme had got under way.

She noted that since the carriageway at Pelham Crescent functions as the ceiling of the arcade and crypts at St Mary in the Castle, stabilising this structure and halting additional deterioration to the areas beneath represents the initial phase of a broader programme of improvements.

She added that the council was determined to ensure a positive outcome for this prominent building and looked forward to observing how the scheme develops in the weeks and months ahead.

The scheme is being executed by Hailsham Roadworks Construction Ltd on behalf of the council.

Karin Jones, the contract manager, stated that she was pleased to have begun this demanding scheme for the council.

She explained that over recent weeks they had held extensive talks with the structural engineer and architect regarding the possibility of using increased quantities of reclaimed materials in the finished scheme, as well as how to complete the work while causing the least possible inconvenience to local residents.

She concluded that it was gratifying to finally be on location.