Work to strengthen seawall in Selsey to begin at the end of August
Work to refurbish a section of the West Beach seawall in Selsey is due to start at the end of August 2026, helping to protect homes and reduce the risk of coastal erosion.
The project, which is being delivered by Chichester District Council's coastal team, Coastal Partners, will strengthen a deteriorating section of seawall at the western end of Selsey. Every effort will be made to complete the work before the winter storm season.
The scheme forms part of ongoing efforts to maintain essential coastal defences while the wider Selsey Coastal Scheme continues to progress -https://coastalpartners.org.uk/project/selsey-coastal-defences/.
Inspections have shown that part of the existing seawall is approaching the end of its serviceable life, increasing the risk of failure if no action is taken. Emergency repairs have previously been required at other locations along this stretch of coastline, highlighting the vulnerability of the current defences.
The planned works will provide a more resilient defence and help safeguard homes, infrastructure and the wider coastal protection system from the impacts of erosion. They will also help maintain the current line of coastal defence and support future long-term improvements planned through the wider Selsey Coastal Scheme.
The work will involve installing a new steel sheet-piled wall in front of the existing seawall; drilling into the current structure and filling any voids that are identified; and placing concrete between the new and existing structures to strengthen the defence. Where necessary, sections of the existing concrete revetment will also be encased to provide additional protection and improve the overall resilience of the seawall.
Construction is expected to take around 12 weeks. However, timings will be influenced by tides, weather conditions and site access requirements, as much of the work must be carried out at low tide.
"These works are about taking action now to reduce the risk of problems in the future, says Cllr Jonathan Brown, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Environmental Strategy at Chichester District Council.
By investing in the seawall at this stage, we can reduce the risk of future defence failure and help protect local homes and infrastructure. This will also provide greater resilience while plans for the long-term Selsey Coastal Scheme continue to develop.
This project demonstrates the benefits of strong partnership working and a commitment to protecting our coastline. In a relatively short timeframe, the team, has secured funding, completed detailed designs, obtained licences and planning approvals, and undertaken the procurement process, enabling work to begin quickly.
Residents and visitors will continue to have access to public footpaths throughout the works, with appropriate safety measures and managed access arrangements in place. Access for HM Coastguard will be maintained at all times.
Residents and visitors can find the latest information on the Coastal Partners website at https://coastalpartners.org.uk... or emailselsey.coastal@havant.org.uk.