The Environment Agency will start ground investigation work for the coastal defence schemes that will continue to protect homes and businesses from the risk of coastal erosion and flooding on the Isle of Wight.
This important milestone will start on Monday 16 January when specialist equipment will be used to drill boreholes and dig trenches along the esplanades and on the beach.
The results from the investigations will give the project team information about the composition of the ground and existing foundations where the coastal defence refurbishment is being proposed.
Nick Gray, area flood and coastal risk manager at the Environment Agency, said:
The existing coastal defences are in poor condition. We want to improve them, so they continue to offer protection for local communities and ensure they withstand the increasingly extreme weather we are experiencing because of climate change.
The ground investigation work is an important step in assessing the best options to protect Shanklin and Yaverland from coastal erosion and flooding in the future.
While the work is happening, we will keep any disruption to the local community to a minimum.
Flood defences at Yaverland will be strengthened, along with others around the island
Temporary fencing will be put around the sites to protect the public and mean some footpath diversions and parking suspensions for a short period of time.
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, cabinet member responsible for the environment for Isle of Wight Council, said:
It is really encouraging to see that the Environment Agency is beginning the process of ground investigations in Shanklin and Yaverland. Recent damage to the defences in Ventnor has illustrated the potential implications of deterioration of our sea defences. It is important that we progress this work as quickly as possible.
The ground investigations will begin on Monday 16 January and will continue for approximately 5 weeks. Work will run concurrently in each location.
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