Delayed sea defences approaching completion

Work on the defences began in May 2023

Delayed work to build new sea defences is just over two months away from completion, a council has said.

A large hole appeared underneath the seawall at Ventnor Eastern Esplanade on the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, in November 2022, and within days part of the wall collapsed into the sea.

The council said work was delayed due to poor weather and the exposed nature of the site, but that the promenade should now reopen on 14 May.

Work on the sea defences, which date back to the 1960s, began in May 2023.

Natasha Dix, the council's service director for environment and planning, acknowledged it was "disappointing" it would not be open in time for the Easter holidays, but said the defences were now "doing their job to protect homes and businesses along this section of coastline".

More than 150 king piles and 146 timber panels were installed in front of the existing seawall to create new defences.

Before (L) and after (R) the recent work on the seawall

As well as poor weather, progress was also hampered by need to undertake specialist stabilisation works after further voiding was discovered at one end of the site.

However, the final king piles have now been installed, which the council says is a "big milestone" towards completing the work.

The car park will also reopen in May.

Ms Dix said the delay to the work was unavoidable.

"Our contractors have worked double tides at every opportunity to help finish the work as quickly as possible," she said.

"Unfortunately, the weather dictates progress and it has not been kind to us."

"We now look forward to reopening the revetment in May."