Brighton Half Marathon organisers speak out on seafront road closure
Organisers of Brighton Half Marathon have issued a statement following the closure of a road on the route.
Brighton Half Marathon is due to take place next Sunday, March 2.
The 13.1 mile route stretches along Brighton and Hove seafront and includes the A259 Kings Road, which was closed yesterday, February 21, due to structural fears for the Royal Albion Hotel.
Britannia Hotels has been instructed to make the building safe and has put up fencing to prevent members of the public from walking near it.
A spokesman for the Brighton Half Marathon said: 'We are aware of the situation regarding the temporary closure of the A259.
'We are working closely with the council and will update runners should there be any impact on the Brighton Half Marathon course route.'
Brighton and Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey hopes the road will be back open for next weekend's event, however will put public safety first.
READ MORE: Updates as hotel at risk of collapse, sparking road closure
She said: 'We're pressing Britannia and their contractors to make the structure safe as quickly as possible, so that we can reopen the road and keep the impact to a minimum for residents and visitors.
Council leader Bella Sankey hopes the road will be back open for the Brighton Half Marathon (Image: Andrew Gardner) 'We very much hope this is complete in time for the Brighton Half Marathon next weekend, but public safety is our priority.
'We are very sorry for the disruption caused by closing the A259.
"We've had to act with some urgency to ensure public safety around the site.'
Brighton Pavilion MP Sian Berry has also called on Britannia, as well as Brighton and Hove City Council, to take action and be transparent about plans for the building, which was destroyed by fire in July 2023.
Ms Berry said: 'It's approaching two years since fire engulfed the Royal Albion Hotel.
'The priority has to be public safety and for any urgent works to be completed, but residents are understandably asking why progress is so slow.
'I've written to both the council and Britannia, and stressed the need for clear information about timeframes and action is needed."
Work is expected to begin at the site this weekend and carry on into next week.
Diversion routes are in place and are illustrated through road signs.
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