Work could begin within months on a flood barrier and coastal path that would protect homes and businesses in Shoreham and give the community safer access to the shoreline.
Adur District Council is working with West Sussex County Council, Sussex Yacht Club and the Environment Agency on a project to build a wall up to 2.2 metres in height to defend dozens of properties from the overflowing River Adur during storms.
Next to the wall, a broad public footpath will be created to run alongside the A259 Brighton Road from Ferry Bridge to Mariner Point - allowing residents and visitors to move safely for the first time between two footpaths to the water’s edge.
Shoreham suffered major flooding in 2013 when the Adur burst its banks during severe weather. Rising sea levels means the town is under increasing risk of further flood damage during storms.
The council hopes to be able to begin work on the wall as early as spring, so that the defences could be in place before next winter.
The footpath would be wide enough to include a shared cycle path at a later stage as part of plans to create a safer space for cyclists all the way to Brighton and Hove.
The first step in the process requires the formal closure of a previously inaccessible public right of way that runs from Brighton Road to the shoreline, through the centre of the Sussex Yacht Club site.
The closure of the public right of way will allow a robust, steel-piled concrete, brick and flint wall to be constructed along the full length of the yacht club site to prevent flood waters reaching the low-lying section of the town.
Before the right of way can be removed, Adur District Council must first run a public consultation to listen to the views of the community.
The consultation runs until Friday 22nd December and can be found at https://www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/consultations/.
Cllr Steve Neocleous, Adur’s cabinet member for regeneration and strategic planning, said:
“This work will complement the Adur Tidal Walls project to protect the town from the River Adur overtopping its banks, preventing catastrophic damage during storms like we had a decade ago.
"Climate change is making the town more and more vulnerable to rising sea levels and it is vital that we take action now to mitigate the impact on homes and businesses.
“The project will also improve accessibility along our historic riverfront, allowing more people to enjoy our beautiful coastline in a more sustainable way.”
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