The Agency said that construction of the project is progressing well and the flood defences are now complete. Work is nearing completion to carefully allow the sea slowly into the site in order to form a new intertidal wetland area, which will provide exceptional habitat for birds and other wildlife.

The original shingle bank was difficult and costly to maintain each year, particularly during the autumn and winter months when tides are at their highest and the weather is more severe.

The Agency said the new defences at Medmerry will be amongst the best along the south coast, significantly reducing flood risk to nearly 350 homes, local infrastructure and the main road into Selsey. The scheme has also provided the opportunity to create more than 180 hectares of important new wildlife habitat which compensates for the loss of similar conservation areas in and around the Solent. Once the whole project is completed, the RSPB will manage the wildlife habitats and access and the Environment Agency will continue to manage the flood defences.

Andrew Gilham, Environment Agency Flood and Coastal Risk Manager, said  the Agency could not have got this far on thee project without the support of the local community, landowners and its partner organisations The scheme has been developed with the help of a wide range of community representatives. The Medmerry Stakeholder Advisory Group, which the Environment Agency helped to establish in 2009, has been essential in engaging with the community and has ensured there has always been local input to the scheme design.

The Agency is also starting work on a the first phase first phase of a wider scheme to protect thousands of homes and businesses in Grimsby. Conttractors Balfour Beatty has started work on a £2.7 million project to protect nearly 2km of the Humber Estuary against flooding which is due for completion in July next year.