Millennium Promenade - Coastal Defence: Past, present and future

Portsmouth City Council (in partnership with Gosport, Fareham and Havant Borough Councils) delivers a combined, efficient and comprehensive coastal management service.

This work is undertaken by the Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership, which manages the coastal flood and erosion risks to people, property and the natural environment - whilse ensuring sustainable coastal defences are in place around the coastline. It is important we are prepared. We cannot eliminate the risk, but working together we can manage and reduce it.

Coastal Flood Defence

If coastal defences were not in place then some areas of the city would be at risk from an extreme flood. We are working to improve sea defences along the Southsea coast from Long Curtain Moat to the Royal Marines Museum. This is a long term project that will be undertaken in phases.

Existing Coastal Defence

As you walk along the coast take a closer look at the shoreline. There are many types of structure that reduce risks of coastal flooding and erosion. Parts of these seawalls and revetments have been in place for many years. We plan to improve them in order to increase the city’s resilience to future storms and flood events.

Coastal Military Defence

On a clear day you can see the Isle of Wight and all four of the Solent Forts. These forts were designed by civil engineer Sir John Hawshaw and built - between 1865 and 1880 - to protect the narrow shipping channels to Portsmouth Harbour.

Portsmouth Harbour has been home to the Royal Navy since 1194. Looking from left to right the four forts are named: Horse Sand, St Helens, No Man’s Land and Spit Bank.

To learn more about the future of coastal defence in Portsmouth and Southsea please visit: escp.org.uk.

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