A million tons of shingle will be added to a small English beach to double its size and add flood protection.
Southsea, on the south coast of England, will be transformed this winter with works to move the shingle due to being in October and last until March 2026.
The shingle will be dredged from the Solent river, between the Isle of Wight and the English mainland, and will be transported to shore via a pipeline from a specialist dredging vessel.
The work is the latest phase of the Southsea Coastal Scheme, which is one of the UK’s largest flood defence projects.
“We’ve chosen to build a larger shingle beach in this area because it’s highly effective at absorbing wave energy, which helps reduce erosion and protects homes and businesses from coastal flooding,” said Project executive for the scheme Marc Bryan.
“The new beach will also be adaptable to rising sea levels and our changing climate, while still providing the standard of protection we need. It’s also designed to be easily maintained and topped up in the future if required.”
The first stage of the works will be a new outfall extension from a nearby lake, followed by a one-metre diameter pipeline laid across the beach to deliver the dredged shingle.
Stepped crossings over the pipeline will be put in place, and heavy machinery will distribute the shingle, working with the tides.
New coastal defences in this area will be built once the beach import operation is complete in March 2026.
“The new beach is part of a smarter coastal management approach that works with nature, not against it,” said Portsmouth City Council leader Steve Pitt. “It will adapt to rising seas while also creating space for recreation, tourism and local businesses.
“This innovative approach shows that the Southsea Coastal Scheme is about more than just sea defences—it’s a commitment to enhancing our city and securing a better future for everyone.”
