COMMENT: Warnings that we ignore at our - and our city’s - peril

In Portsmouth, the answer is hopefully quite a lot, yet there remains a financial stumbling block.

Around £96m has already been found for the work, and that is a lot of money indeed. But over £20m more could be needed, and where it’s going to come from is a very good question to ask.

Labour’s shadow secretary for the environment, Sue Hayman, was in  Southsea yesterday to hear the latest update on the scheme that would protect more than 8,000 homes from flooding.

Ms Hayman, who represents the Cumbrian coastal town of Workington, knows how big the topic of coastal erosion and potential flooding is.

She had some emotive words to say on the subject. ‘As a country I don’t think we’ve come to grips with the potential outcome of rising sea levels. People need to realise just how much homes, businesses and infrastructure are at risk.’

Talking about what she saw in Portsmouth, Ms Hayman added: ‘What’s happening here is really forward thinking.’

All well and good, but the fact remains more money is needed – specifically to protect some of the seafront’s historic monuments, which do not currently attract central government funding.

City MP Stephen Morgan wants that policy changed. ‘The current defences we have are not sufficient,’ he declared. ‘I want to ensure that the people of Portsmouth are safe from the threat of flooding for the next 100 years. We need government help to make this a reality.’

Lots of areas always need lots of money – education, social, infrastructure, NHS. The drain on a nation’s finances can seem never-ending, but we cannot ignore Ms Hayman and Mr Morgan’s concerns. We would do so at our peril ...Members of the public will be able to find out more about the next steps of the project at upcoming events. Engagement events at the Coastguard Studio in Clarendon Road, Southsea: Thursday, February 14: 2pm-7pm Friday, February 15: 11am-5pm Saturday, February 16: 11am-5pm Information events: Cosham library: Monday, February 18: 1pm-4pm North End library: Tuesday, February 19: 1pm-4pm Beddow (Milton) library: Wednesday, February 20: 1pm-4pm