Groundwork to begin on new flood defence works on Isle of Wight

The UK Environment Agency will start ground investigation work for the coastal defence schemes that will continue to protect homes and businesses from the risk of coastal erosion and flooding on the villages of Shanklin and Yaverland on the Isle of Wight.

The works will start on Monday, January 16, when specialist equipment will be used to drill boreholes and dig trenches along the esplanades and on the beach.

The results from the investigations will give the project team information about the composition of the ground and existing foundations where the coastal defence refurbishment is being proposed.

Nick Gray, area flood and coastal risk manager at the Environment Agency, said the existing coastal defences are in poor condition, necessitating their modernisation so that they can continue to offer protection for local communities.

The Shanklin and Yaverland coastal defence schemes are partnership projects involving the Environment Agency and Isle of Wight Council. The delivery partners are JBA Consulting and VolkerStevin.