Eastern Esplanade from the air

Ventnor Esplanade sea defence upgrades win top construction excellence award

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The major sea defence works at Ventnor Eastern Esplanade scooped a top award at last night’s (Thursday) Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards. The project won the ‘Integration and Collaborative Working’ category. 

The safety barriers which have secured the site since November 2022 were taken down on 24th May, restoring this crucial walking and cycling route between Ventnor and Bonchurch.

12 month project
It marked the end of a successful 12 month project which has seen £4.8 million invested in new sea defences, protecting homes and businesses for years to come

The works involved piling more than 150 ‘king posts’ into the foreshore, which were then backfilled and capped with concrete to encapsulate the rusting sheet piles.

Extreme weather conditions
This scheme was made all the more challenging due to the exposed nature of the site and the very poor weather we experienced last autumn/winter.

The project involved close partnership working between the council, our contractor Mackley, Coastal Partners, the Environment Agency, Jacobs, Southern Water, Island Roads and Ventnor Town Council.

The council wishes to thank residents again for your patience, understanding and support during these important works.


News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed