North Portsea Island Coastal Flood Defence Scheme - Phase 4a Planning Application Approved

The next phase of plans to protect North Portsea Island from the risk of coastal flooding are underway following approval of the planning application for the first package of work in the Kendall's Wharf area of North Portsea Island. 

The principal design for Phase 4 of the North Portsea Island Coastal Defence Scheme is now complete and will be delivered in two packages of work. The first, 4a, will begin in September 2019 now that planning approval has been granted and includes the construction of an earth embankment, a steel sheet pile wall and raising the road adjacent to Kendall's Wharf on Eastern Road. This work is expected to be completed by April 2020.

The planning application for the second work package, 4b, along Eastern Road is due to be submitted in August 2019. The work includes the construction of a seawall along 2.4km of the Eastern Road, encasing the existing seawall and raising the defence level by approximately 1.2m. Subject to planning approval, work should begin on these defences in April 2020 with a view to being completed in late 2022.

Councillor Dave Ashmore, cabinet member for environment and climate change at Portsmouth City Council said "the next phase of the North Portsea Island coastal defences is an important one as Eastern Road is a key path in and out of the city and these plans will protect this section of coastline from the real risk of flooding. We've already seen the great work around Tipner Lake as part of the scheme and I'm excited to see the next stage of work around Kendall's Wharf begin."

The North Portsea Island Scheme, which is being delivered by the Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership on behalf of Portsmouth City Council, covers 8.4km of coastline from Tipner through to Milton. Most of the area is low-lying and many of the current coastal defences are approaching the end of their effective lives. The new coastal defences are designed to significantly reduce the risk of coastal flooding over the next 100 years, reducing the risk of flooding from the sea to over 4,200 homes, 500 businesses and critical infrastructure including Eastern Road. On completion, the scheme will offer protection against a 1 in 500 year coastal flood event and will tie in with the defences built at Anchorage Park to the North and Milton Common to the South.

Artist's impression of defences North of Sailing Club Artist's impression of defences North of Sailing Club
Artist's impression of defences North of Sailing Club
Artist's impression of defences South of Harvester Artist's impression of defences South of Harvester
Artist's impression of defences South of Harvester
Artist's impression of defences North of Sailing Club Artist's impression of defences North of Sailing Club
Artist's impression of defences South of Harvester Artist's impression of defences South of Harvester

The North Portsea Island Scheme covers 8.4km of coastline from Tipner through to Milton. Most of the area is low-lying and many of the current coastal defences are approaching the end of their effective lives. The new coastal defences are designed to significantly reduce the risk of coastal flooding over the next 100 years, reducing the risk of flooding from the sea to over 4,200 homes, 500 businesses and critical infrastructure including Eastern Road. On completion, the scheme will offer protection against a 1 in 500 year coastal flood event and will tie in with the defences built at Anchorage Park to the North and Milton Common to the South.

Phase 1: Anchorage Park 2015 - 2016
New coastal defences were constructed in 2015 – 2016 to manage the flood and erosion risk to properties of Anchorage Park. The new defences comprise raised earth embankments with a rock revetment front face. These defences were the first construction phase of a 6-phased construction project.

Phase 2: Milton Common 2016
These works comprised the construction of 750m of rock revetment to manage the erosion risk to the historic landfill area of Milton Common and two set back earth embankments to manage flood risk to the residents of Portsmouth. Construction began in April 2016 and was completed in September 2016.

Phase 3: Tipner Lake 2017 - 2019
The flood defences at Tipner Lake comprises vertical sea walls to protect the area from flood risk. Landscaping works will also be developed to enhance the natural amenity of the surrounding area. The construction works are currently being finished, with an expected end date in Autumn 2019.

Phase 4: Eastern Road and Kendall's Wharf: 2019 - 2022

Phase 5: Portscreek: 2023
Currently going through a detailed design review which, once complete, will lead to the procurement of the contractor.