Main Brighton seafront road closed after hole appears

The main Brighton seafront road has been closed after a large hole opened up this morning during the rush-hour.

Sussex Police said: “Police closed the A259 King’s Road, Brighton, shortly after 8am today (Friday 25 April) after a large hole appeared in the eastbound carriageway near the Fortune of War public house.

“It was discovered by workmen engaged in underground building work at the pub, which is near the junction with the A2010 West Street.

“Traffic diversions have been set up and mean that eastbound traffic is being diverted off the A259 Kingsway up the B2185 Grand Avenue and The Drive to join the A270 Old Shoreham Road. “Westbound traffic is being diverted from the Aquarium roundabout up the A23 via London Road to the Old Shoreham Road.”

Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Structural engineers are going down there now to assess the situation.”

Eighteen months ago the council started work on a £4 million three-year programme to strengthen the arches supporting the promenade and seafront road.

Further work is needed east of the Palace Pier where more deterioration has been identified.