4 major coastal defence projects on the Isle of Wight are one step closer to completion after receiving £7million of central government funding.
The Environment Agency, in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council, is working alongside industry experts to reduce the risk of flooding and coastal erosion to more than 3,700 island homes and businesses, vital infrastructure and over 300 hectares of protected habitat.
The scheme will see 4 projects at Embankment Road, Bembridge, Yaverland, Shanklin and Ventnor being progressed thanks to the crucial government funding. The current coastal defences are ageing at these locations and the current work is investigating how these could be replaced.
The programme includes seeking the necessary funds for:
- refurbishment and replacement of some of the existing coastal defences and additional slope stabilisation measures in Ventnor
- refurbishment of the sea wall and defences at Yaverland and Culver Parade in Sandown
- refurbishment of the sea wall and defences at Shanklin Esplanade
- repair work to the sea defences at Embankment Road, between St Helens and Bembridge
Although the Ventnor and Shanklin defences are owned and maintained by the Isle of Wight Council, the Environment Agency is working on the council’s behalf to develop a business case for future investment.
The defences at Embankment Road are privately owned and maintained, but as a competent authority under Habitat Regulations the Environment Agency is looking to protect the designated habitat of Brading Marshes.
Different parts of the Yaverland defences are owned and maintained by either the Environment Agency or the Isle of Wight Council, but both organisations will work together to assess how best to refurbish or replace parts of the coastal defences which were first built by Victorian engineers over 100 years ago.
Floods Minister Rebecca Pow has said:
“This vital £7 million in funding will bring the Isle of Wight coastal defence scheme one step closer to beginning construction, and once completed will see more than 3,700 island homes and businesses better protected from flooding and coastal erosion.
“This funding is just one part of our record £5.2 billion investment to better protect hundreds of thousands of properties across England.
Nick Gray, the Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for Solent and South Downs Area, said:“It’s great news that we can now move to the next stage of this ambitious scheme.
“Our teams will continue our work with the community to understand their priorities and concerns, and develop and design a preferred option for each location. It will also enable us to undertake the necessary technical, economic and environmental work and ground investigations to inform our decisions.
“Once this phase is complete, we will be requesting further funding from central government to finalise the business case and construct the schemes”.
At this stage, it is estimated that the 4 capital schemes have a total potential cost of £54.7million, with partnership funding opportunities to supplement the available government funding.
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Isle of Wight Council Cabinet member responsible for the environment, adds:
“Flooding and coastal erosion can have a devastating and lasting impact on the lives of those affected, and this is why it remains a high priority for us and why we have agreed a significant investment in the programme. We are determined to support people who are most at risk as much as we can.
“These long-term commitments in partnership with the Environment Agency and significant government funding will make homes, businesses and infrastructure more resilient to the accelerating impacts of the climate crisis. The views of the public are important to us as we continue to plan this important work – and we’ll continue to consult them”.
It would be really nice to see West Wight benefiting too!
The sea wall at Bouldnor needs some concrete!
One section needs the walkway widening with concrete.
It is very unsafe and many people walk along there every day.
Any chance this could be added to the works? Please?
I was informed that the steps leading to the beach from rylstone gardens were going to be repaired. It’s not a big job, just finding the right person or department to assess the situation. These steps are part of the coastal path and are in use every day. So let’s get going on the job iow council for 2022 season.