Removal of revetments set to begin on Hayling beach

Damaged coastal defence structures along Hayling Island are set to be removed from Wednesday 1 July.

The decision to remove the forty-year-old timber revetments was made following severe storm damage in 2019 and 2020.  The 140m wooden structure is now beyond repair, despite receiving regular maintenance.

The beach area, in front of the wooden structures, will be closed to the public whilst the removal of revetments is underway. A section of car park will be taken over as a temporary compound for the council’s contractor. Footpath diversion routes will also be established for access to and from Gunner Point.

Councillor Leah Turner, Cabinet lead for Coastal Communities said; “These structures have now come to the end of their life.  Following their removal it is expected the waterline will change as the beach adjusts back to its natural contours. The council will continue to monitor and analyse beach levels at West Beach to better understand the natural process and evolution.”

A 50m length of the coastal defence will remain to the west of Inn on the Beach, together with the groynes in the sea.

The work will take place between 7am and 7pm weekdays only.  Operating around tide times, work is expected to be completed within four weeks.

For more information please visit www.escp.org.uk

Background Information

The coastal management policy varies along the south coast of Hayling Island; from a Hold the Line Policy at the east and central areas of the Island where risk is greatest, to ‘natural evolution’ at West Beach and Gunner Point. The decisions taken by the Council regarding this policy, determine whether structures are maintained or removed when they reach the end of their serviceable life.

The Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership (ESCP) is a partnership between Fareham Borough Council, Gosport Borough Council, Havant Borough Council and Portsmouth City Council. The partnership has combined coastal engineers from each authority into one team to manage 162km of coastline across the eastern Solent.

The aim of the ESCP is to reduce the risks of coastal flooding and erosion to people, and the developed and natural environments, and to encourage the provision of technically, economically and environmentally sound defence measures to protect more than 40,000 homes and businesses within the area over the next 100 years.