Shanklin Coastal Defence Scheme Information Page

Overview

Welcome to the Shanklin Coastal Defence Scheme Information Page.

The Environment Agency have created this page to provide easy access to information on the Shanklin project, one of four priority coastal defence projects on the Isle of Wight. The Environment Agency will be updating this site as the project progresses, so please keep checking for what’s new.

If you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive updates on this project or any other of the Isle of Wight coastal defence projects, please email us and let us know which projects you are interested in. 

For information about other coastal defence projects on the Isle of Wight see here.

Latest Update 12 December 2022

Our latest newsletter is available here

To help us assess the possible options for sea wall and groyne refurbishment, we need to deepen our understanding of the ground conditions and underground structures, including the foundations of the existing sea defences. To do this, we will need to undertake a series of below ground explorations ranging from the digging of excavation pits to the use of drilling rigs for taking boreholes. Please note that this work is scheduled to begin at the end of January 2023.  Further details can be found here

Update 7 November 2022

We sought views on how the coastal frontage along Shanklin Esplanade is used, what is most valued about it, and the perceptions amongst stakeholders of flood and coastal erosion risks both now and in the future. This will help to inform how we engage with stakeholders going forward, and capture any concerns, ideas and opportunities in the shortlist of options that we present to the public in Summer 2023.

We received 44 responses in total. 31 responses were made via the Shanklin Coastal Defence Scheme Citizen Space webpage; the remaining 13 were made via hard copy versions held at Shanklin Library. 

The information obtained from the Shanklin Coastal Defence Scheme public realm questionnaire will be used to support the confirmation of a short list of options that could be used to reduce the risk of coastal erosion to the sea wall in Shanklin. These will be presented to the public in June/July 2023, when individuals, businesses, community groups and organisations will be invited to offer their views on the options. We will also be using the responses to plan the format, content and timing of our future engagement and communication activities.

Individuals who wish to follow up their responses, or points made within this document, in more detail are welcome to contact us at IOWFD_schemes@environment-agency.gov.uk.

A copy of the response summary can be found here

Background

The Environment Agency in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council, with expert support from JBA Consulting and VolkerStevin, are exploring a sustainable future for the coastal frontage at Shanklin Esplanade, located on the eastern coast of the Isle of Wight.

The Shanklin frontage is identified as defence unit IW27 in the 2010 Isle of Wight Shoreline Management Plan 2 (SMP2). The policy for this unit is hold the line.

The scheme will cover approximately 900 metres of coastal frontage from the large concrete Hope Groyne at the northern end of the Shanklin Esplanade to Shanklin Chine wooded coastal ravine and nature reserve in the south. Area denoted by red line in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1

The Shanklin project aims to investigate how best to respond to the challenges facing the Shanklin Esplanade coastal frontage, thereby protecting the community and preserving the area’s tourism and heritage value. Options being considered involve capital works, which may include refurbishment and repair of the existing defences. Additionally, the project will explore longer term flood and erosion management solutions which protect and enhance the seafront for future generations and provide a platform for regeneration.

What if we do nothing More Information

The condition of the existing seawall, which is over 100 years old, and groyne structures protecting the Esplanade varies. Some sections are expected to offer sufficient protection for many years to come, whilst other sections are in need of immediate repair.

Northern (left) and Southern (right) seawall showing historic deterioration

If no action is taken to prevent further deterioration, the risk of asset failure increases. In the short term, this will result in damage to the Esplanade highway (including services). Vehicular access to the seafront would become impossible if the only access road is lost, preventing access to the majority of properties on the frontage and resulting in the closure of Hope Car Park and others in the area. The Environment Agency anciptates that an initial scheme would benefit 121 properties by reducing the risk that access to these properties would be lost through coastal erosion. In the longer term, there could be direct property loss and an acceleration of coastal erosion towards the town. The risk of future wave overtopping also requires further consideration.

Frequently asked questions can be viewed here.

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