navigation in the area", will be upgraded. Having undertaken a site inspection in 2021, representatives of the Trinity House Board made it known that they intended to award the contract for removal in 2022 (once all necessary permissions had been sought), after which it was envisaged that the decommissioning would take place progressively over the course of three summers. The lighthouse was permanently taken out of service on March 21, 2022, as issued under Admiralty navigational warnings: 211355 UTC Mar 22 ENGLISH CHANNEL. Beachy Head Eastwards. Royal Sovereign Lighthouse permanently discontinued and light-buoys temporarily established. UK Coastal WZ 380/22 211355 UTC Mar 22 ENGLISH CHANNEL. Beachy Head Eastwards. 1. Cardinal light buoys temporarily established North, East, South, and West of Royal Sovereign Lighthouse, 50-43.5N 000-26.1E; South cardinal with AIS and Racon (T), North cardinal with fog signal. 2. Lighthouse permanently discontinued. 3. Cancel WZ 364. At the time of its decommissioning, Ian McNaught, Deputy Master of Trinity House, observed it was not an easy decision for Trinity House to have decided to decommission the lighthouse. See also List of lighthouses in England References External links Trinity House Closeup of Royal Sovereign Lighthouse 1972 documentary on the construction and installation of the lighthouse. Lighthouses completed in 1971 Buildings and structures in East Sussex Lighthouses in England Lighthouses of the English Channel