Have your say on sea defences

The Environment Agency working with the Isle of Wight Council, is launching a consultation for residents of Sandown, Shanklin and Yaverland on coastal defences required for the future.

The on-line consultation starts on Monday (Oct 23) and will run until December 1. There will be six public exhibitions, throughout October and November, giving people a chance to ask questions and give feedback in person.

Emily Webster, of the Environment Agency, explained that the sea wall and groynes are deteriorating, sea level is predicted to rise and storm events become more extreme, due to climate change. She said: “The responses we get to the consultation will be very important because they will help us choose the best design for restoring the current flood defences.”

IW councillor, Paul Fuller, added: “The exhibitions offer an excellent opportunity for residents to engage with experts to ask questions and find out more about sea defences.”

There will be free tea, coffee and light snacks at the events. Children can also take part in a free Lego competition with prizes available.

The on-line Shanklin consultation can be accessed via iow.life/shanklindefences, and the Yaverland proposals are at iow.life/yaverlanddefences, with hard copies available in local libraries.

The exhibitions will take place on Wednesday and Thursday (October 25/26) from 2pm to 7 at the Wildheart Sanctuary Café, and on Friday from 10am to 3pm at Sandown’s Broadway Centre. The proposals will also be on show at The Clifton in Queen’s Road, Shanklin, on Wednesday, November 8 from 2pm to 7 and for the following two days from 10am to 3pm.