Stokes Bay Seawall Replacement Project
Funding has been secured to replace the seawall fronting the Alverbank East Car Park. Construction commenced on the 3rd June and is expected to take approximately 4 months.
BACKGROUND
The Stokes Bay seawall and promenade constructed during the 1970’s has experienced several failures over recent years despite Gosport Borough Council investing in routine maintenance.
In February 2022, the low-height seawall to the east was unable to withstand the effect of Storm Eunice. As a result, substantial damage to a 135m section of the seawall was caused.
Immediate emergency works were completed to make the area safe, which included breaking any promenade concrete slabs with voids underneath, putting up additional fencing and adding shingle to provide additional support.
The next step is to replace the failed section of the coastal structure and promenade and protect the Stokes Bay Road and associated infrastructure.
The new design consists of a sheet pile wall in front of the failed seawall, a new promenade, car park and amenity area reinstatement.
Funding
Financial contributions were initially secured from Gosport Borough Council and Hampshire County Council to deliver the project. However, due to further damage of the existing seawall increasing the project scope and inflation impact on construction costs, the initial funding allocation was insufficient to progress the project into construction.
To address the funding shortfall, the project team reviewed all possible opportunities, including Local Levy funding. In October 2023, the Southern Regional Flood and Coast Committee (RFCC) confirmed that a combined Gosport Borough Council and Hampshire County Council Local Levy bid to secure the remaining funding required for construction was successful. The project is now fully funded.
PROJECT UPDATE - July 2024
Construction began on June 3rd and is being completed by Suttle Projects. The site will remain closed to the public throughout the project. Access to the beach directly adjacent to the site will be limited, and a temporary footpath diversion will be in place on the north side of Stokes Bay Road for the duration of the work.
Activities completed in the last month include:
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Site mobilisation.
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Excavation, demolition, and burying the existing seawall.
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Installation of all the steel sheet piles.
NEXT MILESTONES
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Construction Completion – End of September 2024.
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Car park reopening – October 2024.
LONGER-TERM VISION FOR STOKES BAY
Given the high costs associated with ongoing maintenance and the limited extent of the proposed replacement works, it is clear that a longer-term strategic solution is required at Stokes Bay. Coastal Partners are in the process of finalising a Stokes Bay Option Appraisal and Outline Design Study which considers the future sea defences for the whole of Stokes Bay from the perspective of flood and erosion, transport, tourism, heritage and the environment. The study is being funded by Local Levy, Gosport Borough Council and Hampshire County Council.
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