Description
Our coastal defences run from Langstone Bridge down to the northern shore of Mill Rythe. The defences are old, depleted by erosion, lack of repair, and the effects of climate change. The defences extend across land in public and private ownership. Rain water, also known as surface water, is drained from the land via, ditches, pipes and tidal flaps to the harbour.
The low lying land of north east Hayling necessitates an integrated and continuous maintenance approach to mitigate sea and surface water flooding by landowners and government agencies. There are many reasons why this has not happened in the past and are complex to resolve.
The Hayling Island Coastal Management Strategy (HICMS)
Over recent years Coastal Partners produced the HICMS which sets out how to deliver at a local level, where and when coastal flood and erosion risk management works are required over the next 100 years and their likely cost. The Strategy was adopted by Havant Borough Council and the Environment Agency in 2025.
The strategy reviews each section of the Hayling shoreline as an Option Development Unit. The defences between Langstone Bridge to Northney Farm are identified as ODU1, from Northney Farm to Chichester Road as ODU3 and from Chichester Road to Mill Rythe as ODU4.
The Short term action plan lists ODU1 Northney FCERM (Flood and Coastal Erosion Management) and ODU3 Northney Habitat Restoration requiring improvements as a priority.
NEHRA’s Response
Over many years the Association has worked with local authorities and landowners with the aim of improving the state of the sea defences and surface water drainage systems, but with variable success – see archive.
We support the aims of the HICMS. However, during the consultation process we raised our concern the Short Term Action Plan will not deliver improvements until 2034 at the earliest, and due to government policy is unlikely to receive the necessary funding.
As a result of the flooding in Northney and Tye April 2024 the Association conducted a survey of local residents to assess the impact. This information and working with the Hampshire County Council Local Lead Flood Authority (LLFA) raised awareness and an acknowledgement of the impact on Northney. In addition the LLFA advised the Association to form a Flood Action Group to enable wider recognition by the Flood Risk Management Authorities. The committee agreed the formation of North East Hayling Flood Action Group (NEHFAG) in July 2025.
In October NEHFAG met with Coastal Partners, HCC and HBC to discuss ongoing concern regarding the HICMS schedule and sea and surface water flooding issues, which are becoming more frequent and affect access via Northney Road. This is critical for keeping the loop road open through Northney in case of emergencies on Havant Road.
Since the October meeting Coastal Partners have provided their rationale for their ODU1 proposal. NEHFAG have reviewed these and queried whether alternative solutions might be possible that will reduce the time and increase the likelihood of implementation.
In January 2026 NEHFAG made the case to a HBC Cabinet funding meeting to include ODU1 as a priority project for this year, but was not successful. However, ODU3 was listed as a priority project and funding of £300,000 was approved for 2026 allowing this project to progress.
In March NEHFAG attended a site meeting in Northney with the Southern Coastal Flood and Coastal Committee Chairman, Dr Martin Hurst, to highlight our ODU1a concerns and discuss possible alternative approaches going forward.
Protect Your Property
The Association will continue to lobby the appropriate authorities for improved flood protection. However, individual householders must also make their own provision to protect their property from flooding.
The Environment Agency can provide the long term flood risk of the land around a building, not the building itself, and information on how to receive flood warnings and prepare yourself and your property for flooding.
The Environment Agency can also provide flood warnings 5 days in advance for an area.
Planning Your Travel
You can now estimate sea level height along the Northney and Tye shoreline up to 48 hours in advance of inclement weather, large tides and surges. The estimate must not be used as an absolute measure of sea level or in place of the information provided by the Environment Agency above:
The Emsmet weather station is located in Chichester Harbour and gives a guide to the actual sea level height along our shoreline. Typically, if the sea level rises much above 5.0m the road between the bridge and hotel will flood.
The National Tide and Sea Level Facility can predict storm surge height for Portsmouth Harbour up to 48 hours in advance: the surge for Chichester Harbour is typically similar. To estimate the expected maximum sea level for each high water add or subtract the surge height from the predicted tide height at Northney.
Report Flooding
Havant Borough Council operate an out of hours telephone service. In the event of an emergency call 07442 453670. For further details and also how they maybe able to help in event of a flood.
If you experience local flooding disruption due to heavy rain or large tides the responsible authority needs to be informed.
Please report flooding of a highway, or sea flooding of the land.