Shoreham Port Invests £1.26M in major Coastal Defence Upgrade

Our board has approved a £1.26 million investment in the Brighton Marina to River Adur Coastal Management Project, reinforcing its commitment to a landmark partnership protecting one of the South East's most vulnerable stretches of coastline. 

The project is a collaborative effort between Shoreham Port, Adur District Council, Brighton & Hove City Council and the Environment Agency. Mackley will be carrying out the work on the Shoreham Port frontage in partnership with their parent company, Van Oord. Together, the partners are delivering a programme of new and upgraded coastal defences between Brighton Marina and the eastern mouth of the River Adur, reducing long-term flood and erosion risk while accounting for projected sea level rise. 

 "It is vital that we work with our partners at the local authorities and Environment Agency to protect our operations and the broader community from coastal flooding and erosion," says Brian Rousell, Director of Engineering and IT at Shoreham Port. "We are mobilising quickly to get this important project delivered," he continued. 

 With 175 business based on the estate and cargoes supporting the construction sector across Sussex the investment in coastal protection will enable the Trust Port to continue its vital role within the regional economy. 

Completed sections include the Hove Deep Sea Anglers Car Park and Shoreham Port’s Lorry Park, with works currently progressing in front of the King Alfred Leisure Centre. The project combines new coastal defences with the adaptation and improvement of existing infrastructure. 

The next phase will focus on the eastern end of the Port, from the Lorry Park to the Grain Silos. The £1.26 million investment will fund the replacement of timber breastwork and repair of the concrete wall along this section, with works due to begin in June 2026 and expected to take approximately three months. 

The investment reflects the Port’s long-term commitment to playing a proactive role in coastal defences ensuring communities and Port operations are protected against rising sea levels and increasingly frequent and intense storms - challenges that are only set to grow because of climate change. 

Categories: Sustainability, Announcements