Victoria Place forms the southern section of Terminus Road in Eastbourne, creating a key pedestrian link between the town centre and the seafront. As a major route connecting the railway station, retail stores and beachfront, the street plays an important role in the visitor economy and everyday life of the town.
As part of a wider programme to revitalise the town centre and strengthen connections to the seafront, Victoria Place has undergone a phased transformation designed to prioritise pedestrians, introduce urban greening and improve the quality of the town centre.
The project has been delivered in two stages. The first phase, in 2018, introduced new street trees supported by engineered tree pit infrastructure designed to enable long-term growth within a paved environment. A second phase, ongoing in 2026, is expanding the pedestrianised area and introducing additional tree planting.
Together, these interventions support the ambitions set out in the Eastbourne Borough Council strategy to create a more attractive, accessible and environmentally resilient town centre.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Victoria Place forms the southern section of Terminus Road in Eastbourne, creating a key pedestrian link between the town centre and the seafront. As a major route connecting the railway station, retail stores and beachfront, the street plays an important role in the visitor economy and everyday life of the town.
As part of a wider programme to revitalise the town centre and strengthen connections to the seafront, Victoria Place has undergone a phased transformation designed to prioritise pedestrians, introduce urban greening and improve the quality of the town centre.
The project has been delivered in two stages. The first phase, in 2018, introduced new street trees supported by engineered tree pit infrastructure designed to enable long-term growth within a paved environment. A second phase, ongoing in 2026, is expanding the pedestrianised area and introducing additional tree planting.
Together, these interventions support the ambitions set out in the Eastbourne Borough Council strategy to create a more attractive, accessible and environmentally resilient town centre.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Phase One in 2018
The first phase of works focused on introducing urban greening into the town centre environment while supporting wider improvements along Terminus Road.
The challenge was to successfully establish street trees and HydroPlanters within a busy paved environment where underground utilities, compacted soils and structural loading can limit root development. To address this, the project incorporated engineered tree pit infrastructure designed to provide sufficient soil volume, aeration and irrigation for healthy tree growth.
Structural soil cells, with aeration and irrigation systems, were installed beneath the pavement to support the load of traffic and the pavement, while protecting uncompacted soil volumes for root expansion. This approach allows trees to establish strong roots and develop a healthy canopy despite the constraints of an urban setting.
The planting introduced during this phase began the process of softening the streetscape and demonstrated how engineered tree infrastructure can successfully deliver urban greening within a constrained town centre environment.
Phase Two in 2026
Building on the success of the initial improvements, the second phase of the project expanded the improvements further south along Victoria Place. This stage formed part of the wider project aimed at enhancing the connection between the town centre and the seafront while creating a more pedestrian-focused experience.
Vehicle access was reduced and the streetscape redesigned to prioritise walking, cycling and public space. New seating areas, planting zones and tree installations were introduced to create a welcoming environment for residents and visitors.
This phase introduced our new generation of tree pit systems designed to maximise soil volume and improve long-term tree performance within the pedestrianised space.
The RootSpace soil cell systems created large volumes of uncompacted soil beneath the paved surface, allowing tree roots to expand naturally while supporting the structural loads of the street. With added irrigation and aeration to ensure tree health in both wet and dry weather conditions.
Phase One in 2018
The first phase of works focused on introducing urban greening into the town centre environment while supporting wider improvements along Terminus Road.
The challenge was to successfully establish street trees and HydroPlanters within a busy paved environment where underground utilities, compacted soils and structural loading can limit root development. To address this, the project incorporated engineered tree pit infrastructure designed to provide sufficient soil volume, aeration and irrigation for healthy tree growth.
Structural soil cells, with aeration and irrigation systems, were installed beneath the pavement to support the load of traffic and the pavement, while protecting uncompacted soil volumes for root expansion. This approach allows trees to establish strong roots and develop a healthy canopy despite the constraints of an urban setting.
The planting introduced during this phase began the process of softening the streetscape and demonstrated how engineered tree infrastructure can successfully deliver urban greening within a constrained town centre environment.
Phase Two in 2026
Building on the success of the initial improvements, the second phase of the project expanded the improvements further south along Victoria Place. This stage formed part of the wider project aimed at enhancing the connection between the town centre and the seafront while creating a more pedestrian-focused experience.
Vehicle access was reduced and the streetscape redesigned to prioritise walking, cycling and public space. New seating areas, planting zones and tree installations were introduced to create a welcoming environment for residents and visitors.
This phase introduced our new generation of tree pit systems designed to maximise soil volume and improve long-term tree performance within the pedestrianised space.
The RootSpace soil cell systems created large volumes of uncompacted soil beneath the paved surface, allowing tree roots to expand naturally while supporting the structural loads of the street. With added irrigation and aeration to ensure tree health in both wet and dry weather conditions.
Delivering a Greener Town Centre
The Victoria Place project demonstrates how carefully designed tree infrastructure can support the transformation of urban streets.
Key outcomes include:
A Long-Term Investment in Eastbourne’s Streets
The transformation of Victoria Place highlights how phased public realm improvements can successfully combine urban greening with town centre regeneration.
By integrating advanced tree pit systems across both phases, the project delivers a resilient streetscape that will continue to mature and improve the environment of Eastbourne for decades to come.
Delivering a Greener Town Centre
The Victoria Place project demonstrates how carefully designed tree infrastructure can support the transformation of urban streets.
Key outcomes include:
A Long-Term Investment in Eastbourne’s Streets
The transformation of Victoria Place highlights how phased public realm improvements can successfully combine urban greening with town centre regeneration.
By integrating advanced tree pit systems across both phases, the project delivers a resilient streetscape that will continue to mature and improve the environment of Eastbourne for decades to come.
