Project overview

There are currently a number of increasing pressures on coastal management in the project area, which are expected to worsen with climate change and sea level rise. These include:  

• Aging assets and infrastructure 

• Chesil beach is migrating back into the Fleet / Portland Harbour due to overtopping events and front face erosion 
• Land instability around Chesil Cove and the West Weares  
• The risk posed by sea level rise and climate change to the A354 causeway road from both the Lyme Bay and Portland Harbour sides.  
• The impacts of climate change on coastal processes and water levels will become increasingly harder to predict.   

Dorset Council, working in collaboration with the Environment Agency and with support from BCP Council, Dorset Coast Forum and technical consultants AECOM, are undertaking a project to develop a new Flood and Coast Risk Management (FCRM) Strategy for the area shown in the map. 

The new FCRM Strategy will define the long-term (100 year) sustainable, adaptable, and integrated approach for managing the risks of coastal flooding, erosion and land-sliding, taking into account the latest data and evidence.

Find out more about the project and get involved here >> Portland Underhill to Wyke Regis Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) Strategy project

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Portland Underhill to Wyke Regis FCRM Strategy project extent and key locations

Project overview

Sea-floor erosion, combined with the localised movement of stone blocks due to wave impact on the outer harbour wall and the deterioration of the structure on the inner harbour wall, have seen significant destabilisation of the structure.

It is predicted that the functionality of the Cobb as a breakwater would end in the 2040’s, potentially resulting in the loss of the harbour, and over 100 residential and non-residential properties will be at increased risk of flooding and coastal erosion.

The project aims to stabilise the Cobb to maintain its status as a breakwater, a coastal flood and erosion defence and a safe harbour for many different types of vessels and businesses.

It is being proposed to strengthen and stabilise the structure which may include construction of a low-level concrete toe foundation strengthening wall along with tension piles to anchor the inner harbour walls.

Design options have been extensively reviewed by the project team and the wider statutory authorities including Historic England, Marine Management Organisation, and the Environment Agency. The project team are currently reviewing the scheme design options with a view to come to a preferred option that can be presented to stakeholders and the public. The preferred design will have a material effect upon construction timeline and therefore the project team is not in position to comment upon the construction programme at this time.

Visit here for more information and project updates >> Lyme Regis Cobb Stabilisation Scheme

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Project overview

In storm events or high tide and easterly winds, the town centre’s current defences suffer from waves overtopping the sea wall. This is an ongoing issue and has diverse implications for Swanage, impacting the environment, businesses, and tourism.  The impacts of these events on Swanage have demonstrated the need for improved protection. 

Dorset Council in partnership with the Environment Agency, Dorset Coast Forum and Swanage Town Council are looking at options for coastal flood defences to help protect the town of Swanage.  

The scheme aims to provide a permanent flood defence scheme to Shore Road and the Mowlem Slipway area, The Square, The Parade and Lower High Street. This central location currently relies on seasonal emergency temporary flood defences which are deployed each winter by the Environment Agency to help protect the town from high tides and storms.   

Dorset Council’s Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management Team (FCERM), supported by JBA Consultants are leading the progression of a single scheme and an outline business case which will be submitted to the Environment Agency to bid for government funding for the scheme.   

If funding is obtained, there will be further consultation with community and specific groups as the project develops. Design proposals for the flood protection scheme will be shared through direct contact, structured workshops and open community consultation events led and facilitated by Dorset Coast Forum on behalf of the project.  

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Project overview

As a low-lying coastal town, Weymouth is at risk of coastal flooding and erosion from the sea and flooding from surface water and the river. If a severe weather event takes place in Weymouth, thousands of homes and businesses could be flooded.

In accordance with climate change predictions (UKCP18), sea levels are rising, and extreme weather events will happen more often and may be more severe. It is predicted that in 100 years, the average sea level can be more than one metre higher than it is today. This means that all high tides and low tides will be one meter higher, too.

As part of the Weymouth Harbour and Esplanade Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Scheme, Dorset Council is working with Dorset Coast Forum, the Environment Agency, Wessex Water, BCP Council and WSP (engineering consultants), to develop an Outline Business Case (OBC).

An OBC is a document required by the UK Government Treasury when government funds are requested. The OBC will investigate costs and benefits of a range of options, then recommend the preferred options to improve Weymouth’s resilience to flood and erosion risks.

This OBC project will build on earlier work carried out by Dorset Council and the Environment Agency exploring possible options for managing flood and erosion risk in Weymouth. The earlier work recommended a phased approach to improve resilience in three stages:

• • • up to 2042
    • up to 2062
    • up to 2122 and beyond

The OBC being produced will apply for funding for the first phase of work to take the project up to 2042. It will prioritise sections of harbour walls that are currently lower, or close to the end of their design life, and sections identified along the esplanade which are at the most risk of erosion.

Managing impacts associated with any proposed improvements is a key consideration. These include minimising disruption as far as practicable to businesses, harbour operations, residents, and the community of Weymouth, and managing impacts on fisheries and the environment.  As part of the project, we will also be delivering exciting new regeneration opportunities for Weymouth.

Find out information at >> Weymouth Harbour and Esplanade FCERM Scheme

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