PARTS of our coastline could be allowed to flood in the future as the government struggles to fund sea defences along the Solent coastline.

A drive along the A27 in a few decades’ time might see a wildly different scene to the one we see today – with the tide covering parts of beauty spots such as Farlington Marshes, and Hayling Island being a smaller land mass.

It comes as a major consultation began last month on how the Solent coastline will be defended over the next 100 years. (more…)

PLANS to protect hundreds of low-lying homes and two schools from flooding have been delayed because of a lack of cash – just days after the Islander revealed them publicly.

The Environment Agency wants to fork out £1.8million to shore up sea defences on Hayling.

But work has been postponed for at least three years because the agency says it doesn’t have the money.

The project was due to begin next year, but will now be delayed until 2012 at the earliest. (more…)