Breaking: The Save Madeira Terrace online crowdfunding campaign has reached its target today (29th November) and will be funded.

The ‘Save Madeira Terrace’ crowdfunding campaign, run by VisitBrighton, is ending on the 30th of November. The crowdfunding started in July this year and has a target of £431,000 to carry out repairs to Madeira Terrace, an 850m stretch of Grade 2 listed arches spanning Madeira drive which has been closed since 2012 due to fears of structural weakness. The council estimates that the whole project could cost £24 million and take seven years to complete.

At the time of writing, the online crowdfunding total reached £385, 158 of the target £422, 243 and had reached 2000 supporters. The project has until November 30th to reach the target or all pledges will be returned to supporters. The crowdfunding campaign began after a bid for £4 million in government funding was rejected in April 2017.

On Friday 24th November, the campaign held a raffle. Many local businesses donated prizes to the raffle and The Badger has been told there were over 500 different prizes. Campaigner Veryan Young said the campaign “has really brought the whole of Kemp Town and much of the town centre together to fight for the side of the pier that receives very little investment.”.

Brighton and Hove City Council cannot afford the whole project due to reduced public sector funds that are also needed for housing, social care and children’s services. This has meant Madeira Terrace has been subject to the marine elements for a century and the lack of maintenance explains its current state.

Local MP Caroline Lucas says in her blog: “As residents in Brighton and Hove will know, Madeira Terrace is an iconic part of the city’s history. I know that many of my constituents have fond memories of the elegant Grade II-listed arches, which have been the backdrop to many events and occasions over the years.

“Sadly, Madeira Terrace has fallen into disrepair. Like much of the seafront, years of under-investment has taken its toll.

“Although Madeira Terrace falls just outside of my constituency, the condition of the seafront arches has been a significant concern of mine for many years, and I see protecting our seafront heritage as an issue of city-wide importance.”

Image from Luke Andrew Scowen on Flickr.

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