North Portsea Island Coastal Defense Works Move Forward

Over the next fortnight, the North Portsea Island Coastal Defense Scheme will reach two major milestones, Portsmouth City Council said in its latest announcement. 

Image source: escp.org.uk

The first of these is the re-opening of the coastal path at the Tipner Lake site between the Mountbatten Centre and Horsea Lane allotments at the beginning of November, with landscaping continuing for the next few weeks.

Secondly, the team behind the scheme will be holding a series of public events to provide further information on the next phase of the project which covers Kendall’s Wharf and Eastern Road.

“The full length of the frontage is 2.4km and it will see the replacement of the current defenses, which are at the end of their serviceable life, with new ones that will provide one of the highest standards of protection in the country from major flood events. They have also been designed to take into account  predicted sea level rises, offering protection for the next 100 years,” the council said.

Events will be held on:

  • Monday, 5 November, 13.00-17.30, Anchorage Park Community Centre, Sywell Crescent;
  • Wednesday, 7 November, 13.00-19.00, Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre, Eastern Road;
  • Thursday, 8 November, 13.00-19.00, Innlodge, Burrfields Road.

In conjunction with the construction of the new coastal defenses, extensive landscaping work will take place to enhance the area.

Portsmouth City Council, working with the Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership (ESCP) gained approval for £58.5 million of funding from central government back in 2014 to build new coastal defenses around the north of Portsea Island.

When complete, it will help to protect 4,200 homes, 500 businesses, and critical infrastructure including the Eastern Road from coastal flooding.