First published Thursday 28 May 2015 in The Argus
Newly-elected MPs have vowed to put party politics aside and work together to deliver more funding to support the county’s beloved seafronts.
Politicians of all colours are giving their backing to The Argus’ Seafront 2020 campaign and promised to speak with one voice in Westminster to bring extra funding to improve our invaluable waterside infrastructure and attractions.
Conservative, Green and Labour councillors all agreed the seafront needs to be treated as an urgent priority for the prosperity of the county.
The campaign was launched just over a month ago, calling for a coherent and concentrated programme for improving our seafront right across the Sussex coast over the next five years.
Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby said he was “delighted” to support the effort and cited a need for additional partnerships for development and tourism.
He said there was a “desperate need” for improvements between the Palace Pier and Brighton Marina and his hopes that a good use had finally found for the Peter Pan site with the mooted £3million Bondi Beach inspired swimming pool project.
He added: “While Brighton and the other south coast towns are fantastic places to live and work, extra investment is clearly needed in infrastructure in the area.
“For example, the congestion on the A259 coast road is something that I am frequently contacted by constituents about. I am very happy to work with the city council on this issue and use my position as an MP to lobby the Government.
“I am also keen to work alongside other Sussex MPs to press for extra investment in the region.”
Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas echoed the need for more investment to boost the city’s vital tourism industry.
She said: “It’s great to see this new campaign from The Argus to save our seafronts. “We need a firm commitment to investment in what’s a vital part of our tourist economy.
“I will be working with other local MPs to make the case for funding that strengthens our city into the future, starting with the renewal of our Victorian seafront arches.”
Hove MP Peter Kyle also agreed with a need for cooperation, saying: “Having a quality seafront is as important to the city as the Royal Pavilion, The Lanes and Hove Lawns, so I will join the Argus in campaigning to save the seafront.
“Such an important issue means that I would look to work alongside our other Sussex MPs to help raise both funding and the support of the local communities on this campaign.”