Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill Flood Defence Scheme

Start of work:Spring 2026

Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill is the last remaining undefended waterfront in Poole town centre. New defences will be constructed along Holes Bay path and Lifeboat Quay (Zone A) - now commencing spring 2026 - and from the RNLI car park to Poole Bridge (Zone E) - following on in autumn 2026. This work will provide a continuous flood defence along 1.5km of the eastern side of Holes Bay.

Useful links

Zone-A-Diversion

Zones Map

Benefits map

Area map

Holes Bay to Lifeboat Quay Zone A

Knights Brown has been appointed by BCP Council to deliver the flood defence scheme. We are committed to doing so safely, responsibly and with care for the local community.

Our priorities include the health, safety and wellbeing of our site team, minimising the impact of the work on the environment and members of the public, and making a positive contribution through open and proactive engagement.

The flood defence scheme will blend in with high ground at both ends of Zone A, near Sterte Avenue West on the A350 and at the Aqua Apartments on Lifeboat Quay. Generally, the Holes Bay path will be raised and widened and the rock revetment will be upgraded. At certain pinch points (where the path cannot be raised), sheet piles will be installed adjacent to the rock revetment.

Surface water from the new path will be directed to the grassed area. The raised Holes Bay path will gradually slope down to the existing pedestrian crossings on Holes Bay Road and Lifeboat Quay.

Along Lifeboat Quay, the new defences will run parallel to the road rather than on the water’s edge. This avoids SSEN’s high voltage electricity cables which supply Poole. Two flood gates will be installed: one on the corner of Asda’s waterside path and one at the zebra crossing. Both gates will be closed when risk of flooding is high, while allowing easy access during normal conditions.

Before construction begins, vegetation clearance will take place. This will involve removing some trees and self-seeded plants to make room for the new defences. After construction, low maintenance coastal planting will be introduced.

Adaptable design

The scheme is split into five zones, as shown on the Zones map. Each has different planned intervention dates, so that the sea wall levels keep pace with climate change. BCP Council intends to take ownership and maintenance liability for the new flood defence. This is an important aspect of ensuring it can be maintained and adapted in the future.

Zone A – Holes Bay Path & Lifeboat Quay Defences will be raised to 2.65m AOD* in 2026, then raised again to 3.6m AOD in 2071.
Zone B – RNLI All Weather Lifeboat Station is protected for the next 85 years. No planned works.
Zone C – Slip Way will make best use of existing assets. Ground levels were raised to 2.49m AOD in July 2025 and will be raised again to 3.6m AOD in 2071.
Zone D – RNLI College is protected for the next 50 years. No planned works.
Zone E – RNLI car park to Poole Bridge. It is more cost effective to replace the current quay walls, raising the height to 3.6m AOD.

*Above Ordnance Datum (AOD) is a fixed reference level (in Newlyn, Cornwall) which has replaced ‘above sea level’ as the standard reference from which vertical heights on maps are measured.

Programme update

Following the granting of planning permission in July 2025, it was intended to commence the heavy civil engineering works in Zone A from September and Zone E from October 2025. The progressing and discharge of environmental and planning conditions, in accordance with the regulatory requirements is a complex process and is requiring ongoing engagement with the Local Planning Authority (LPA) Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC), the Crown Estate and other relevant consultees, statutory bodies, businesses and landowners.

Holes Bay is a highly protected area due to the presence of migratory birds, breeding fish and seahorses. These protections also restrict when works can be undertaken.

Teh works have been re-scheduled as follows:
• Zone A (Holes Bay path and Lifeboat Quay) works will commence in spring 2026
• Zone E (from RNLI College car park to Poole Bridge) will follow in autumn 2026

Site activity / Traffic management – A350
While the heavy engineering works are deferred, preparatory activities are continuing to enable a swift start between environmental restrictions. These include material deliveries and set-up and security measures for our compounds.

Site working hours are Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm. Set up for daily activities will begin from 7am. If required, Saturday working will take place between 8am -1pm.

We are currently reviewing the temporary lane closure on Holes Bay Road (A350) with BCP Council to minimise disruption. Diversions and lane closures will be reinstated once works recommence in the spring.

Meet the contractor

Date, time & location to be announced

Check back for details of upcoming events where our project experts will explain the scheme and respond to questions.

Mitigating the increasing risk of flooding to people and property, caused by climate change over the next 100 years.
Contributing positively to public health and well-being by reducing the mental and emotional stress of flooding; as well as the risk to life.
Improving and enhancing the condition or integrity of the local environmentally designated sites and marine habitats.
Unlocking land for future redevelopment by private landowners where buildings are expected to provide vibrant ground-floor frontages for businesses and new homes for local people on the upper floors.
Creating new public quayside and waterfront routes in Poole Harbour for leisure, exercise and commuter use, positively contributing to the area’s sustainability.

Environmental considerations

Poole Harbour has a range of protected special designations including: Ramsar – wetland sites of international importance, Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA). The work requires environmental assessments from Natural England and the Marine Management Organisation as well as planning consent from BCP Council. Environmental marine enhancements from the scheme are expected to include benefits for wintering and breeding birds, breeding fish, seahorses and sea sponges.

Key project information

Potential costs without defences

Damage to town centre infrastructure and properties, over the next 100 years, could exceed £161m. This is the area highlighted in red on the Benefits map.

Funding sources & allocations

The construction cost for the flood defence scheme is approx £29.4m. £22.1m of grant aid was secured from Central Government including:

£12.4m from the Environment Agency
£3.5m from Defra
£6.2m from the Environment Agency in additional funding

BCP Council allocated £7.3m.

Work undertaken by Knights Brown

Based locally in Ringwood, Knights Brown has a strong track record in similar coastal defence works including completing three of the five phases of the £86M North Portsea Coastal Defence Scheme.