The Coastal Communities Fund has given a £573,148 grant to bolster the town’s ongoing regeneration project by allowing high-quality, more durable materials to be used, and by funding additional seating and steps leading down to the beach. The enhancements will revitalise the whole riverbank area of Littlehampton and complement a new £14 million flood defence scheme led by the Environment Agency, with a £1.3 million partnership funding from Arun District Council and £400,000 from West Sussex County Council’s Kick-Start programme. John Edjvet, Little- hampton town centre manager, said: “This is great news for Littlehampton. The riverside is a lovely part of the town and deserves the attention and high-quality finish that this funding will provide. New attractive seating and paved areas will encourage people to stay longer and we hope this will see a boost in the economy of the many local businesses along Pier Road and Arun Parade.” The project will improve links between the town centre, seafront and waterfront and revamp the walkway through new railings, light columns, seating and coastal style planting. The successful bid from Arun District Council was driven by a desire to transform the riverside into an area which meets the aspirations of the town, and that of residents, visitors and businesses. Councillor Terence Chapman, cabinet member for environmental services at Arun, said Arun officers had ‘worked extremely hard’ to secure the fund and that he was ‘delighted’ by the successful bid. It is expected that the scheme will create some 47 jobs in the town. Coastal communities minister, Penny Mordaunt said: “Revitalising our seaside towns to be vibrant economies year-round is part of the Government’s long-term economic plan. “This project along the riverbank in Littlehampton will bring new business opportunities that create local jobs and boost the local economy.” The fund is helping more than 100 schemes across the country.