President of the Institution of Civil Engineers visit Southsea Coastal Scheme
The Southsea Coastal Scheme welcomed a distinguished guest last week as Jim Hall, President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and Professor of Climate and Environmental Risk at the University of Oxford, visited as part of his South East tour.
Organised by Coastal Partners, the day showcased how collaboration and innovation are shaping the future of flood and coastal erosion risk management.
The visit began with insightful presentations led by Coastal Partners, focusing on the value of partnership in tackling complex coastal challenges. Topics included “Collaborative Working through Coastal Groups and Partnerships” and an overview of the large-scale flood and coastal erosion risk management efforts underway in Southsea and North Portsea Island.
One of the highlights of the visit was a unique perspective offered atop Southsea Castle, where attendees viewed the “Theatre of the Sea” phase of the Southsea Coastal Scheme. This striking transformation blends flood defence infrastructure with place-making principles, ensuring the coast is both protected and enjoyed by the public for generations to come.
The day concluded with a dynamic panel session centred around the theme, “Blended funding and stacking benefits – how do we deliver this?” — a conversation about how organisations can unite to deliver more effective outcomes through place-making and climate adaptation. Panel members brought together voices from Local Authorities, the Environment Agency, Regional Flood and Coastal Committees, the ICE and JT Mackley & Co.
“It was a privilege to welcome Professor Jim Hall to the Southsea Coastal Scheme and to share the progress on a project that represents one of the UK’s largest and most complex coastal defence projects. We at VolkerStevin are proud to be delivering a scheme that not only protects thousands of homes and businesses but also enhances the local environment and community spaces. The recognition from the Institution of Civil Engineers reinforces the importance of collaborative delivery and innovative engineering in building climate resilience along our coasts.”
Jon Benton VolkerStevin Operations Director
President Hall’s visit highlighted not just the scale and ambition of the Southsea Coastal Scheme, but also the critical importance of collaboration in facing our climate future.
