Photo: @trussliz
The Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss has praised the swift action taken to plug huge holes in the promenade and sea wall at Southsea, following storm damage in late December 2015.
Working as part of Team Van Oord*, Mackley was called into action to support the Environment Agency when waves crashed over the top of the sea wall and penetrated the foundations, causing the concrete to expand and split the structure.
Elizabeth Truss made her comments when she visited Southsea on 22 January to see the work carried out to temporarily repair the section of sea defence. She was accompanied on her visit by Flick Drummond, MP for Portsmouth, senior managers from the Environment Agency and several local councillors.
Around 4,000 tonnes of Granite Rock Armour weighing between three and six tonne have been buried into the shingle beach to protect the sea wall and reduce the impact of wave energy in future storms and high tides.
Speaking to Portsmouth News, Mrs Truss said: ‘You can see what has happened and the big holes that were left. What is good to see is rapid action has been taken to fill those gaps in.
“What we are doing with flood defence improvements is making sure as many local partners are involved and they fill as many purposes as they can.”
Mrs Truss has also reiterated that ensuring Portsmouth is protected from floods is a priority, and confirmed the government will be providing £117m as part a six year programme to completely replace Southsea’s ageing flood defences.
Earlier this month Councillor Donna Jones, Leader of Portsmouth Council, also praised the Mackley team that carried out the work during the festive period.
In a letter to Mackley MD Tony Camilerri, Councillor Jones said she “wanted to put on record how impressed we have been with the whole response”.
*Team Van Oord
Team Van Oord is a joint venture partnership between Van Oord, Kier Group, Mackley Construction and Royal HaskoningDHV.
26 January 2016
