East Cowes Flood Risk Management Scheme Information Page

The Environment Agency is working in partnership with Isle of Wight Council, Red Funnel and GKN Aerospace on a phased scheme to reduce tidal flood risk to 68 homes and 26 commerical properties in East Cowes.

The town has seen many flood events over the past century and in recent years our monitoring has shown increasing tide levels at the harbour. With expected sea level rise associated with climate change projections, we need to be prepared for the future.

A heavy engineered approach such as a conventional concrete defence was investigated but found to be unaffordable due to Treasury benefit/cost rules. In 2020 an alternative phased scheme was approved which will provide increased flood protection to 68 homes and 26 commercial properties at risk of tidal flooding until 2055. Phase 1 - 34 homes, Phase 2 - 34 homes and 26 commercial properties.

Phase 1

Phase 1 of the East Cowes Flood Risk Management Scheme received financial approval in 2020 to begin a scheme to protect 34 residential and 26 commercial properties in the town centre from tidal flooding using a temporary barrier. The 350 metres of barrier was planned to start from the Waitrose store, passing through the Red Funnel marshalling yard and finishing at the junction of Clarence Road and York Avenue.

The barrier deployment plan, the 350 metres of temporary barrier and pumping equipment were ready for deployment, as required, from September 2021.

However, due to incidents with temporary defences which slipped at Bewdley and Ironbridge on the River Severn, a national review was started to understand the risks and mitigations needed to ensure temporary barriers are safe to deploy.

Our consulting engineers recommended placing large concrete blocks on the back of the barrier to prevent slipping. In doing this at this location, there would be increased health and safety concerns and disturbance to residents. Large machinery would be required to lift blocks in public areas, and we would need to shut roads and restrict access to factories and the chain ferry for several days.

After consulting with Isle of Wight Council we have decided that barrier deployment is now undeliverable at this location due to time it would take to deploy and health and safety concerns, and that we should seek a different approach to better protecting this area of East Cowes from tidal flooding.