Floodgates

How will the flood gates be operated?

The new floodgate will be put into action when alerts are received from the Environment Agency that highlight high tides, high swells or both.

Working with the Gosport Borough Council emergency response team, a flood response system will be in place to ensure the effective procedure of the floodgates in the occurrence of a potential flood event. Maintenance checks and test closures will be undertaken to ensure that effective procedures can be carried out.

Coastal Partners has 15 years’ experience deploying flood defence equipment along the south coast. The team are constantly monitoring conditions to ensure that we are best prepared to respond to any such event to reduce the risk of flooding.

During first 10 years that the floodgate is in situ, the likelihood is that closure will occur once a year. Due to climate change and sea-level rise this frequency is likely to increase in the following years.

What can be expected when the floodgate is in operation?

The floodgate will cross the width of Little Anglesey Road to form a continuous defence to any potential flood event. Cars will not be able to travel through the road and diversions will be in place for the duration of high tide.

Coastal Partners and Gosport Borough Council Officers will monitor the floodgate when it is in operation. It will only be reopened when it is safe to do so. When not in operation, the default position of the floodgate is open against the flood defence walls.