The Environment Agency is commencing the next phase of works on 2 of the Island’s 4 ‘priority’ areas for coastal defence today (Monday).
As previously reported by Island Echo, ground investigation works will commence in both Ventnor and Bembridge today as part of a wider scheme to protect the Island’s coastline.
It means that local residents and businesses will suffer some disruption but allows for vital data to be collected ahead of any future construction.
The other 2 ‘priority’ sites – at Yaverland and Shanklin – underwent similar investigations in January and February this year with the findings currently being analysed according to the most recent update on the Environment Agency’s website.
This is running in parallel to consultations with the local community and the development of preferred options going forward.
In Yaverland, this has come with the proposal of an exciting £1million sea pool to be incorporated into the plans but the long-term solutions for Bembridge and, in particular, Ventnor are much less developed.
At a recent meeting, a representative of of the Environment Agency described the Yaverland and Shanklin projects as ‘much more simple’ than in Ventnor, although still anticipated that the construction phase for those projects could take between 18 and 24 months.
It was also admitted that, in Ventnor, they ‘really don’t know what it’s going to look like at the end’ – but these investigations will be crucial in determining those plans.
The Island’s various schemes are part of a wider government investment of £5.2billion between 2021 and 2027, creating around 2,000 new flood and coastal defences to better protect 336,000 properties across England.
Updates on the latest developments for all 4 ‘priority’ Island schemes can be found on the Environment Agency’s website where you can also sign up for their newsletter.
Stainless steel gabion cages would solve many of these issues, allowing water to run out, but hold back the substrate, they can be made into any size and shape and can be moved if needed without too much damage to the structure.
So the council won’t be using such
Got to protect the bembridge set eh. How about a proper repair to Colwell sea wall, and better still, military road?!