Brighton council has decided to stop using an iconic paint colour in the seaside city after more than 100 years because it costs too much.

The popular shade of aqua, known as Brighton Blue, has been used to paint the seafront railings and lampposts for over a century.

But now Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) has decided to opt for a similar shade, known as RAL light green.

It is understood that getting a specialist colour made can cost thousands of pounds, so it is opting for the closest match to the pale turquoise from the range of standard colours.

Some locals are frustrated by the decision to swap the paint, claiming that it is wiping away their history.

One commenter on Facebook said: ‘More of Brighton and Hove’s heritage being sacrificed by this council.’

Another added: ‘The colour is too modern for Victorian railing and lampposts. Typical Brighton Council.’

But some people have argued that the new paint will be an improvement due to the old shade chipping and rusting.

One local wrote: ‘It’ll look a damn sight better than the flaky railings and posts now.’

BHCC say the new colour is a long-lasting coating system which will help to preserve the structures in the long term.

Councillor Jacob Allen, cabinet member for public realm, said: ‘As we continue to restore our historic lamp columns, bollards, railings and, of course, the Madeira Terrace arches, serious care and attention is given to the heritage.

‘Our approach balances preserving these iconic cast iron structures with taking advantage of modern preparation methods and advanced protective coating systems to ensure they can be maintained in the future.

‘We’re protecting the cast ironwork using a specialist, cost effective and long-lasting coating system, rather than standard paint, and the closest available match to the turquoise paint used on the terrace since the 1920s, determined by microscopic paint analysis.’

BHCC forecasts a £19.882 million overspend risk in 2026/27 driven largely by increasing demand and complexity in social care services, according to a report published in July.

Councillor Jacob Allen added: ‘While we welcome the savings this new technique will bring, our primary aim is not short-term cost reduction but the application of restoration techniques that better preserve and protect our historic infrastructure.

‘The coatings will keep the cast iron in good condition for longer, extend maintenance cycles and reduce the frequency of future interventions. This is a more sustainable approach to maintenance and may generate savings over the longer term.

‘The use of the matched colour is specific to restoration projects, such as Madeira Terrace and the city’s seafront lamp columns, where durability and long-term maintenance are important considerations.

‘In daylight, it will very closely match the turquoise used on the terrace for the past 100 years, while the terrace’s new lighting scheme will create different visual effects after dark. Over time, the appearance of the colours will become more muted, but we are confident this is as good a match as possible.’

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