TSHD Sospan Dau arriving in Southsea today

After a delay due to the bad weather, the Sospan Dau dredging vessel is arriving in Southsea today, 5th November, to start work on the new flood defenses.

The Southsea Coastal Scheme officials report that at around 1pm, the vessel will put on a spectacular show. It includes ‘rainbowing’ shingle on to the stretch of Southsea beach in front of Long Curtain Moat.

The hopper dredger will install the temporary working platform, bringing the next stages of the construction above the tidal zone.

The Southsea Coastal Scheme got underway on 7 September 2020 with the construction of coastal defences between Long Curtain Moat and Clarence Pier.

The first of six phases in the Portsmouth City Council-led project came after some 10 years of planning.

The entire scheme is the UK’s largest coastal defences project, worth more than £100 million.

The contractor for the works is VolkerStevin Boskalis Westminster (VSBW).