Seafront bylaws and accessibility

Our guide shows what is and isn't permitted on beaches, as well as how we're making the seafront more accessible.

Beach accessibility and beach wheelchair hire

All-terrain beach wheelchairs

The Seafront Office has several all-terrain beach wheelchairs that you can hire if you need one.

Making a booking

You can book the wheelchair up to 1 week in advance, or you can ask to hire a wheelchair on the day of your visit. Time slots are a maximum of 2 hours, so everyone can use them.

If you expect your collection time to be delayed by more than 15 minutes you'll need to contact the Seafront Office. Your booking may be cancelled if you don't tell us.

Collecting the wheelchair

You will need to:

  • bring proof of ID
  • sign a consent form

We will go through a few basic safety rules which you must follow when using the all-terrain beach wheelchairs.

If you have your own wheelchair we can store it while you use the all-terrain wheelchair. A hoist is available to transfer from chair to chair at the nearby Changing Places facility at the Shelter Hall public toilets.

For further information you can contact the Seafront Office.

Changing Places toilets

Changing Places toilets have enough space for disabled people and their carers. You can find them on the seafront at the:

  • Collonade toilets on Madeira Drive
  • Shelter Hall toilets near West Street
  • Rockwater restaurant on Western Esplanade, Hove

There will also be Changing Places toilets at the Sea Lanes on Madeira Drive, once it opens.

Blue badge parking

We have improved Blue Badge parking along the seafront. The new road layout at Madeira Drive has added 27 extra parking spaces. We're also planning to add more Blue Badge bays near the King Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove.

Accessible routes

We've created a wheelchair accessible area on the beach. You can find it on the section below the Brighton Centre, to the right of Shelter Hall.

We opened the Black Rock boardwalk last year. This has proved popular with residents and visitors.

The Kingsway to the Sea project will provide a similar accessible route running through the park in Hove.

We've also installed a new wheelchair accessible beach pathway at Saltdean.

Madiera Terrace lift

The Victorian Madeira Terrace lift will not reopen for the summer season this year. A new survey has shown that the lift shaft can no longer support the weight of the old lift. The original plan to upgrade the lift mechanism is also no longer viable.

We are going to install a new, fully accessible lift at the nearby Royal Crescent Steps in 2025. It will:

  • be able to accommodate wheelchairs, mobility scooters and buggies.
  • have lighting and security
  • provide 24 hour access to Madeira Drive, and the mid-level deck, from Marine Parade