Construction Updates
The Forton scheme started construction on 2 April 2024. Since then, the groundwork for around 45m of the new seawall has been progressed. The project is on target and scheduled completion is expected by November 2024.
Prior to works staring we provided a resident letter drop, project posters, social media posts and updates to stakeholders from Coastal Partners and Gosport Borough Council. Educational engagement sessions were held and positively received at three schools local to the Forton FECRM Scheme, to raise awareness of the scheme and the role of the council in helping to manage flood risk.
Following the River Hamble to Portchester Strategy, the end of Forton Lake was highlighted as one of three priority areas for a flood scheme.
Since the strategy, a design has been developed, with a reinforced concrete wall and floodboards as the proposed defence for this area. The defences are designed to protect against a 1 in 100 year until 2060 (this is a 1% Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP), which means a flood of such magnitude has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year).
The project is now at a stage where construction can be expected to commence in spring 2024, providing protection for 211 residential and 16 commercial properties from coastal flood risk.