I still think they should have put access tunnels under the prom at 100 metre intervals and then all pipework, electrics, whatever, can be connected along the sidewalk to the access tunnels. Once all connected, the road should have been dug up, strengthened and tarmac laid over the top with no further need to cut/dig a hole in the new tarmac as like said, all the pipework goes through the access tunnels.
Ah well....A pipe dream Hah