Next phase of Portsmouth coastal defence improvement work to begin in 2017

Portsmouth City Council has revealed new coastal schemes at Milton Common and Anchorage Park have been completed ‘on time and under budget.’

Planning is now under way on the Tipner Lake scheme, where work will begin in 2017.

The existing sea wall will be rebuilt to reduce the risk of flooding.

The work will take place in three phases from April to the autumn in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

The public cycleway and footpath will be closed and diversions will be in place.

A public exhibition will take place in February 2017 to show the community final designs.

Tory environment boss, Cllr Rob New, said: ‘I would like to thank residents for their continued patience during the ongoing coastal defence work, especially when access to public paths is restricted in an area as popular as Milton Common.

‘All construction work is disruptive but it is necessary to protect the city from flooding and erosion in future years.’

The 10-year Portsmouth coastal defences project is being managed by the Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership, the council’s coastal engineering team.

So far, hundreds of metres of rock have been installed along the coast to prevent flooding and further erosion.

Milton Common has now fully reopened to the public.

There are new paths along most of the eastern coastline offering views of Langstone Harbour, and three earth mounds to provide additional flood protection.

The old Great Salterns Quay has been removed so the area can return to its natural mudflat habitat.

Landscaping of both the Milton and Anchorage Park sites has started with trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers being planted.

The overall project will reduce the risk of coastal flooding and erosion to more than 4,700 homes and businesses.

For more information about coastal defences in Portsmouth visit escp.org.uk.

Alternatively find the ESCP on Facebook or follow them on Twitter @EasternsolentCP