Fareham Quay & Alton Grove to Cador Drive FCERM Studies

Latest News - September 2024

Over the past few months, the project team have been working to reduce a long list of potential coastal management options to a shorter list to appraise in more detail for both the Fareham Quay and also the Alton Grove to Cador Drive frontages.

In February 2024, members of the project team from Coastal Partners and AECOM held our first meeting with the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for the project, comprising representatives from organisations who act as our regulators and statutory consultees, including Fareham Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, the Environment Agency and Natural England. The objective of the meeting was to obtain feedback from this group of technical experts, on the Draft Short List of potential coastal management options at Fareham Quay and Alton Grove to Cador Drive, to feed into two follow-up project team workshops to finalise the Short List of options.

In July 2024, the final short-listed options were approved by the Project Board for more detailed appraisal.

The next step will be to undertake the detailed technical, environmental, carbon and economic appraisal of these options over the summer, to identify a Draft Leading Option for each frontage.

Why are these studies needed?

Sections of existing coastal defences at Fareham Quay and along the stretch of coastline from Alton Grove to Cador Drive are in very poor condition and are reaching the end of their serviceable life.

With the existing defences in place, 42 properties across both frontages are currently at risk from a 1:200 year (0.5% annual probability) extreme tidal flood event. Due to the effects of climate change and taking into account the residual life of the existing defences, the number of properties at risk from a 1:200 year event increases to over 630 properties across both frontages in 100 years’ time, with no defences in place.

The maps below show the modelled extents of a 1:200 year (0.5% annual probability) tidal flood event in the present day, with the current defences in place at Fareham Quay and at Alton Grove to Cador Drive:

Fareham Quay Map Fareham Quay Map
Alton Grove To Cador Drive Map Alton Grove To Cador Drive Map

Given the residual lives of the current defences at both frontages, the maps below show the predicted extents of a 1:200 year (0.5% annual probability) tidal flood event in 100 years’ time (2123) at both Fareham Quay and Alton Grove to Cador Drive, assuming no defences were in place:

Fareham Quay Map Predicted Extents Fareham Quay Map Predicted Extents
Alton Grove To Cador Drive Predicted Extents Alton Grove To Cador Drive Predicted Extents

When?

The project formally commenced in October 2022 and will take approximately two years to complete, with completion currently programmed for March 2025.

For the latest information on the project and details of how you can get involved, please check back here on this webpage and sign up to our Coastal Partners newsletter for the latest updates on all of our projects.

Who is involved?

Coastal Partners, as part of Fareham Borough Council, are delivering this project in collaboration with the engineering consultants AECOM. We will also be working in partnership with key stakeholders including the Environment Agency and Natural England throughout the development of these studies.

How is the project funded?

The project is funded through Southern Regional flood and Coastal Committee Local levy and through a contribution by FBC.

The secured funding is for this study only, there will be a further gateway / decision point for FBC prior to the next stage (detailed design and construction) being able to take place, as this will require significant funding to be secured.

How do I find out more?

Throughout the development of the studies, the project team will be engaging with key stakeholders and interested parties, providing an opportunity to contribute to the project. 

Further updates as the project progresses will be posted on this webpage when available. 

In the meantime, you can also sign up to the Coastal Partners newsletter for the latest updates on all of our projects, and follow our social media.