By A scheme that will reduce risk of flooding and coastal erosion to more than 3,700 homes and business on the island along with infrastructure and protected habitats is one step closer to completion.
The Environment Agency, in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council, is working alongside industry experts to reduce the risk of flooding and coastal erosion to more than 3,700 island homes and businesses, vital infrastructure and over 300 hectares of protected habitat.
The scheme will see 4 projects at Embankment Road (Bembridge), Yaverland, Shanklin and Ventnor being progressed thanks to the crucial government funding.
The current coastal defences are ageing at these locations and the current work is investigating how these could be replaced.
Floods Minister Rebecca Pow said:
“This vital £7 million in funding will bring the Isle of Wight coastal defence scheme one step closer to beginning construction, and once completed will see more than 3,700 island homes and businesses better protected from flooding and coastal erosion.
This funding is just one part of our record £5.2 billion investment to better protect hundreds of thousands of properties across England.”
Nick Gray, the Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for Solent and South Downs Area, said:
“It’s great news that we can now move to the next stage of this ambitious scheme.
Our teams will continue our work with the community to understand their priorities and concerns, and develop and design a preferred option for each location.
It will also enable us to undertake the necessary technical, economic and environmental work and ground investigations to inform our decisions.
Once this phase is complete, we will be requesting further funding from central government to finalise the business case and construct the schemes.”
At this stage it is estimated that the 4 capital schemes have a total potential cost of £54.7 million, with partnership funding opportunities to supplement the available government funding.
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member responsible for the environment, said:
“Flooding and coastal erosion can have a devastating and lasting impact on the lives of those affected, and this is why it remains a high priority for us and why we have agreed a significant investment in the programme.
We are determined to support people who are most at risk as much as we can.
These long-term commitments in partnership with the Environment Agency and significant government funding will make homes, businesses and infrastructure more resilient to the accelerating impacts of the climate crisis.
The views of the public are important to us as we continue to plan this important work – and we’ll continue to consult them.”
The investment will help these coastal communities to be more resilient to the increasing risk of tidal flooding and coastal erosion and help protect the designated habitat at Brading Marshes.
Nick Gray added:
“This is a critical time for residents and businesses to get involved and have their say on the future of flood and coastal protection on the island.
You can find out more by visiting Citizen Space and signing up to our newsletters to receive further information.”
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