Work to refurbish a vulnerable section of the West Beach seawall in Selsey is scheduled to begin at the end of August 2026, aiming to protect nearby homes and reduce coastal erosion risk before the winter storm season.
The project is being delivered by Chichester District Council’s coastal team and Coastal Partners, as part of wider efforts to maintain essential sea defences while longer-term plans for the Selsey Coastal Scheme continue to develop.
Inspections found that part of the existing seawall is nearing the end of its usable life, creating a risk of failure if left untreated. The new works will strengthen the defence by installing a steel sheet-piled wall in front of the current seawall, drilling into the existing structure to fill voids, and adding concrete between the old and new walls.
In some areas, sections of the concrete revetment will also be encased for extra protection. Construction is expected to take about 12 weeks, though the timetable will depend on tides, weather, and site access, since much of the work must be done at low tide.
Councillor Jonathan Brown said the scheme is intended to reduce future risk and improve resilience for local homes and infrastructure, while also supporting the long-term coastal strategy. The council says the project was brought forward quickly because funding, design work, approvals, and procurement were already complete. Public footpaths will remain open during the works, with safety and managed access measures in place, and HM Coastguard access will be maintained. Updates will be available on the Coastal Partners website.
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