Spotlight on Sandown Bay and Ventnor Coastal Erosion

The Isle of Wight Council is to undertake two studies to understand the future coastal erosion and coastal flood defense needs of Sandown Bay and Ventnor.

The first phase of the studies is comprising information-gathering in relation to the physical and natural environments, including coastal processes, economic data and an assessment of the condition of existing defenses, the council said in its release.

The Sandown Bay study will focus on the coastal defenses which prevent coastal erosion and tidal flooding, covering the coastal area from Yaverland to Shanklin.

The second study will focus on the coastal area of Ventnor, from Monks Bay to Steephill Cove.

Executive member for public protection, Councillor Dave Stewart, said: ”We are very interested to know the views of the public about these areas. These studies form part of our commitment to ensure that, with risks set to increase in the future, it is important to develop our priorities for future risk reduction for the Isle of Wight’s coastal communities.”

The aim of the studies is to identify the cost of replacement or alternative coastal defenses, consider when future coastal defense schemes would be needed and identifying potential partnership funding sources for those future schemes.

The investigative studies will take place over the coming year.

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