New flood defence scheme will protect 2,500 homes and businesses

Shoreham-by-Sea's £31 million tidal walls flood scheme will protect almost 2,500 homes and businesses, Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom announced today on her visit to the site.
The new £31 million scheme will protect almost 2,500 homes and businessesThe new £31 million scheme will protect almost 2,500 homes and businesses
The new £31 million scheme will protect almost 2,500 homes and businesses

The Shoreham Adur Tidal Wall will consist of 7.2 kilometres (4.5 miles) of tidal walls – stretching along the east and west banks of the River Adur – and is due for completion in 2018, following the start of construction this autumn.

The scheme will also improve defences for Brighton City Airport, which was extensively flooded when the previous embankment failed during high tides in December 2013.

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Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom said: “Shoreham-by-Sea’s new tidal walls, stretching for four and a half miles, will help shield the community from flooding, better protecting 2,500 homes and businesses as well as the airport.

“This £31 million flood defence scheme is a great example of local businesses working with government to help boost local development, encouraging more firms to invest in Sussex and bringing jobs to the local community.”

Shoreham’s new tidal walls were supported by funding from local partners.

The Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership has contributed £6 million, with West Sussex County Council (WSCC) contributing £400,000, £800,000 from Hyde Housing through Adur District Council and £900,000 raised by local levy – building on the Government’s £23.8m investment.

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The Environment Agency has worked with the people of Shoreham throughout the planning of this project, helping to make sure these flood defences will not only help to protect homes and businesses, but also aid future economic development.

James Humphrys, Environment Agency Area Director, said: “I am delighted that work in Shoreham is progressing well, and I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Shoreham and Lancing communities for their support so far.

“We are significantly improving the current ageing flood defences, and when the whole project is complete in 2018 it will reduce the tidal flood risk to thousands of homes and a significant number of commercial properties in the area, as well as protecting important local infrastructure such as the road network, railway line and Brighton City Airport.”

The Shoreham Adur Tidal Wall is part of the £2.5bn the Government is spending on flood defences to better protect 300,000 homes across the country by 2021.

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The Environment Agency is also looking at how natural flood management measures, such as tree planting and using land to store water, can be used in the South East - for example in managing the lower Arun Valley in West Sussex. £15 million has recently been announced for Natural Flood Management Schemes across the country to help further slow the flow of rivers and prevent flooding for communities.

Ahead of this winter, the Government has also invested £12.5 million in new temporary defences meaning the Environment Agency will have 250 high volume pumps and 40km of mobile barriers this year that can be moved quickly around the country, if they are needed.

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