The Environment Agency (EA) is doing groundwork investigations to better understand the composition and condition of the embankment that covers 1.7km along Embankment Road, from Bembridge sailing club to St Helens.
The nature reserve at Brading Marshes will remain better protected from flooding after the Environment Agency bolsters its defences.
Image credit: RSPB
The Agency is currently considering options for refurbishment of the coastal frontage between St Helens and Bembridge - part of a wider project to reduce risk of flooding and coastal erosion.
The coastal defences along Embankment Road are ageing, with some sections reaching the end of their useful life. The EA says that if nothing is done to repair these, over time there will be an increased risk of failure in the form of a breach.
This would adversely impact the B3395 and the footpath alongside Bembridge Harbour. It would also lead to tidal flooding in the low-lying land of Brading Marshes nature reserve. The RSPB site is recognised internationally for its freshwater habitat and saline lagoons and is an important site for wintering and nesting birds in the Solent.
Emily Gordon, a programme manager at the Environment Agency in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said:
“Refurbishing the coastal defences at Embankment Road means they will better withstand the extreme weather events we are already starting to experience because of climate change. Looking ahead, the sea defences must be refurbished in a way that makes them more resilient to sea level rise and increased storm severity, so they continue to protect the community and local wildlife habitats.”
For the groundwork investigations along the Embankment Road, boreholes will be drilled at various points along the road using specialist equipment to retrieve a core which will be analysed by a specialist.
The EA said that whilst construction on the coastal frontage over winter months is challenging, it anticipates that the works will be complete in January 2024.
The Embankment Road Coastal Defence Scheme is a partnership project involving the Environment Agency and Isle of Wight Council. The delivery partners are JBA Consulting and VolkerStevin.
The Embankment Road Coastal Defence Scheme is part of a wider programme of work on the Isle of Wight to reduce the risk of flooding and/or coastal erosion. Other projects include, Yaverland, Shanklin and Ventnor.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.