Nearly £14M to be spent on strengthening Portsmouth’s flood defences
The government cash will help protect over 4,000 homes and businesses
Last updated 1st Apr 2025
New government funding will strengthen Portsmouth’s flood defences, with projects across the city helping to protect homes, businesses, and natural areas.
More than 1,000 flood defence projects across England will be built or repaired under a £2.65bn government plan to protect homes and businesses from rising flood risks.
One of the key projects is the North Portsea Island flood defence scheme, which will receive £13.8m to help protect a total of 4,200 homes. The scheme is part of ongoing work to safeguard low-lying areas in Portsmouth from coastal flooding.
The funding consists of £12.48m in flood defence grant with the approved £85.9m for the scheme. The remaining £1.39m will be used within the environmental statutory allowance, which aims to improve habitats and make sure the defences leave behind a “green legacy”.
Labour’s Amanda Martin, MP for Portsmouth North, welcomed the investment, saying she had recently brought the Secretary of State to Portsmouth to highlight the need for further flood protection. She said she was “really pleased” the government had listened and announced extra funding for sea defences at Farlington Marshes, Tipner, and Paulsgrove Lake.
“The government is investing in three projects in Portsmouth, with over £14m allocated to the north of the city. This will protect 1,081 homes and help prevent further coastal erosion at Farlington Marshes,” she said.
In addition to the North Portsea Island scheme, the Southsea Coastal Flood and Erosion Risk Management project will receive £7.3m to help protect Portsmouth South from rising sea levels.
Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan also welcomed the funding, saying that as climate change brings more extreme weather, protecting communities from flooding is “more vital than ever.” He added: “I’ve supported the Southsea Coastal Defence programme from the start and worked with local people and businesses to ensure their views are heard.”
The government has also set aside £140m for projects already underway but struggling with rising costs. This includes the Alverstoke flood scheme in Hampshire and a coastal erosion project on the south coast.