Future proofing the city from coastal erosion and flooding

Next steps to further protect Brighton & Hove from coastal erosion and flooding are set to be taken in the next few weeks.

Work will get underway this spring to implement the Brighton and Adur Coastal Protection Scheme.

In partnership with Adur and Worthing District Councils, the scheme will aim to improve our coastal defences and reduce the long term (1 in 200 year) flood and erosion risk to our coastline, homes and businesses.

The scheme, which is jointly funded by the Environment Agency and the scheme partners; Brighton & Hove City Council, Adur District Council and Shoreham Port Authority, will:

  • repair and strengthen floods walls and defences where necessary
  • replace existing flood walls and defences that cannot be repaired
  • raise flood defences where necessary to protect the coast from the effects of climate change
  • install new timber groynes along Kings Esplanade

The first stages of the scheme, beginning this spring, will include site surveys, ground investigations and technical design planning.

Find out more about the scheme and what we’re doing to protect our coastline.

"A picture of a bulldozer picking up shingle on a beach"

Councillor Steve Davis Co-Chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee said: “This work is going to be vital in helping to protect the city, as well as Shoreham Port, from the risk of flooding in future.

“One of the devastating impacts of climate change means that we have to take action against rising sea levels to protect our homes and businesses in the years ahead.

“Unfortunately, this only goes again to illustrate the seriousness of the climate emergency and why we have to act now.

“This scheme will help to ensure that our iconic coastline remains a key part of the city and remains a vibrant focus for our local economy."

Shingle Recycling  

Our beaches are the primary form of coastal protection from both erosion and flooding. so we will continue our year-round work to protect the city through regular shingle recycling.

This involves moving, on average, 16,000 tonnes of shingle from beaches near Brighton Marina to beaches further west and near Shoreham Port. That’s enough to cover Brighton & Hove Albion’s pitch six times.

The shingle is moved naturally from west to east by wave movement in a process known as ‘longshore drift’.

You can find out more about this by watching our video below.