Hayling Island's Eastoke Point get Norwegian rock coast

The rock was brought on barges from Norway and unloaded directly onto the beach

A £5m scheme to replace a stretch of eroding coastline and protect 1,800 homes on Hayling Island in Hampshire from flooding has been completed.

About 70,000 tonnes of rock imported from Norway was placed on the beach at Eastoke Point to create 650m (2,132ft) of revetment and four new groynes.

Heavy machinery has worked on the beach for six months, shifting the rock and 25,000 tonnes of shingle into place.

The beach was closed for most of the summer but is now fully open.

Held in storm

As part of the Environment Agency funded scheme, designed by coastal engineers at the Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership, improvements were made to the existing sea wall behind the promenade.

New ramps and steps were also built along the stretch from Nutbourne Road and Bosemere Road, and around Sandy Point nature reserve, to Eastoke Point.

A Havant Borough Council spokesman said the defences performed well during the storm two weeks ago and no coastal flooding occurred.

Marc Bryan, project manager, said: "As with all large construction projects there have been many challenges along the way, but the finished scheme is one the local community can be proud of.

"We have been able to reduce the risk of coastal flooding and erosion while improving access and the amenity value of this important coastal area."