North Portsea Coastal Scheme - Milton Common, Phase 2

The new defences consist of a new rock revetment, constructed from granite Larvikite delivered from Norway, with a coastal path and three new earth bunds with new footpaths. The work has also included the demolition of Great Salterns Quay. The car park at Great Salterns Quay has been reinstated and a new section sea wall installed to provide a continued level of defence along the coastline, following the removal of the quay. The new defences have been landscaped with wildflower mix, grass, and native trees. Some of the plants included are: Hawthorn, Sea Buckthorn, Crab apple, Field Maple, Thrift, Sea Purslane, Sea Campion, and several species of wildflower including Poppies, Bird’s Foot Trefoil, Corn Marigold and Yarrow.

The benches that were in place on the Common before the works commenced have been returned to Portsmouth City Council for refurbishment, and will be re-installed at a later date.

The fully completed scheme will significantly reduce the risk of coastal flooding to Milton Common and the local area over the next 100 years; it will offer protection against a 1 in 500 year flood event providing one of the highest standards of flood protection in the UK outside of London.

Thank you to the local community for your support and patience throughout this phase. These new defences are the second stage of the multi-million pound Flooding and Coastal Erosion Risk Management scheme being developed across the north of Portsea Island, from Mountbatten Centre round to Milton Common. The whole project will reduce the risk of flooding and erosion from the sea to 4,200 homes, 500 businesses and critical infrastructure including the Eastern Road over the next 100 years.