North Portsea Island Phase 4b Update - Week 23 and 24

A wall with a view 

Last week the highly anticipated flood glass arrived at the site and the first sections of glass flood wall are being installed at the Andrew Simpson Centre. 

Portsmouth City Council and Coastal Partners have been working with local residents and stakeholders, the Environment Agency, scheme designer Royal Haskoning DHV, and scheme contractor JT Mackley to include a glass topped flood wall as part of the planned sea defence scheme at Eastern Road. As a result of the collective efforts and through efficiencies within the budget, funding was found for a total of 375 metres (over 400 yards) of glass flood wall to be installed in 3 different locations: the Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre, Harbourside Park and Tudor Sailing Club.

To install the flood glass it is slotted in between two upright aluminium posts which are bolted to bases cast into the concrete wall. The posts have waterproof seals to prevent any water from getting through. The individual glass sections are 2.5 or 3 meters wide and 1 meter high, consisting of 3 sheets of 12 millimetres glass. Weighing in at around 350kg each, which is about the same weight as a polar bear or a grand piano, they are lifted in position using a truck-mounted crane with a vacuum lifter.  

This is an exciting milestone for the project, as the use of flood glass will help to retain the beautiful views across Langstone Harbour for residents, businesses and visitors.