Sand will be topped up on beaches between Saltfleet and Gibraltar
Point to reduce the risk of flooding for Lincolnshire's coastal
communities.
The work will begin on May 11 and is the second phase of works
under the strategy for the coastline. The strategy aims to better
protect the environment and support the prosperity of the coast
for years to come.
The Environment Agency's annual beach management involves
dredging sand from licensed seabed areas and pumping it onto
beaches, replacing the sand naturally lost to the sea throughout
the year. This reduces the risk of flooding for 20,000
homes and businesses, 24,500 static caravans and 35,000 hectares
of land.
Replenishing the sand means that the beaches, instead of hard
defences like sea walls, take the brunt of the waves' force and
energy. This reduces the amount of damage and erosion to those
hard defences and lessens the risk of water overtopping them.
The Environment Agency has been restoring sand levels on the
Lincolnshire coast every year since 1994. In addition to reducing
flood risk, the work brings supplementary social and economic
benefits by retaining the sandy beaches for a vibrant tourism
industry.
Deborah Higton, Flood Risk Manager at the Environment Agency,
said:
Our current coastal management approach of re-nourishing the
beaches between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point is vital to
managing tidal flood risk for Lincolnshire. As well as
maintaining the county's sandy beaches for us all to enjoy.
But despite our best efforts, much of Lincolnshire is at, or
below, sea level meaning flooding can still happen. That's why we
urge people to prepare and plan for the worst by signing up to
receive our free flood warnings.
The £7 million beach management work is funded as part of the
Environment Agency's capital programme. The Environment Agency is
committed to delivering Government's £2.65 billion investment
over the next 2 years to protect thousands of homes and business
from the dangers of flooding. Plus prevent billions of pounds
worth of damages.
The Environment Agency urges people to plan ahead for flooding.
They can find out if their property is in an at-risk area by
signing up for free flood warnings. Further information on all
these steps and more is available at GOV.UK/Flood and
by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
