THERE is a chance to have your say on how the Isle of Wight should refurbish its coastal defences during public consultation over the next couple of weeks.

The Environment Agency (EA) is running public exhibition drop in events, as it continues to work on its coastal protection schemes for Shanklin and Yaverland.

There is a chance to talk to specialists about coastal erosion and engineering, and to take part in a consultation.

The EA says the sea wall and groynes are ageing and reaching the end of their useful life.

If nothing is done, the timber and concrete groynes will continue to degrade, resulting in a loss of the beach material.

This would make the sea wall vulnerable to erosion leading to possible failure of the sea wall by 2042.

The Isle of Wight Council and the EA are working together to find ways to reduce coastal erosion and flooding from the sea in Yaverland.

The aim of the project is to better protect more than 500 properties, as well as key infrastructure, local businesses, heritage assets and designated sites that are currently protected by the ageing defences.

The drop-in events run across October and November.

They are as follows:

  • Wednesday, October 25 - 2pm to 7pm -  Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Yaverland
  • Thursday, October 26 - 2pm to 7pm - Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Yaverland
  • Friday, October 27 - 10am to 3pm - The Broadway Centre, The Broadway, Sandown
  • Wednesday, November 8 - 2pm to 7pm - The Clifton, Queens Road, Shanklin
  • Thursday, November 9 - 10am to 3pm - The Clifton, Queens Road, Shanklin
  • Friday, November 10 - 10am to 3pm - The Clifton, Queens Road, Shanklin