Work to reduce the risk of flooding for Lincolnshire's coastal communities is set to begin next month (April 2021) with the yearly replenishment of sand on beaches between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point.
The Environment Agency's annual beach management scheme sees sand dredged from licensed areas of the seabed and pumped onto the beach to replace levels naturally lost to the sea throughout the year.
Replenishing the sand means 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. It helps protect 20,000 homes and businesses, 24,500 static caravans and 35,000 hectares of land from flooding.
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.
Dredging is expected to begin in April, after the Easter school holidays. The access road to Huttoft Car Terrace from Roman Bank will be closed from 22 March until 27 March for equipment to be safely delivered and a site compound to be set up.
The replenishment work is predicted to take six to seven weeks, with more than 400,000 cubic metres of sand pumped back onto beaches between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point, including at Trusthorpe, Mablethorpe, Ingoldmells, Trunch Lane, Wolla Bank, Chapel Six Marshes and Huttoft. Local people who may be visiting these beaches for exercise are asked to stay clear of the worksites.
Deborah Campbell, flood risk manager at the Environment Agency, said:
This vital work reduces the risk of flooding to homes and businesses on the coast, and we're delighted we can, once again, go ahead in line with coronavirus restrictions. All our staff, contractors and partners will practice social distancing and follow Public Health England's guidance for safe working.
As well as helping to protect people from flooding, the work will also help maintain our beloved sandy beaches so they'll be ready to welcome back locals and tourists alike, when it's safe for visitors to return.
The £7m beach management work is funded as part of the Environment Agency's capital programme - a record £5.2bn government investment in England's flood and coastal defences to better protect 336,000 properties by 2027.
Nothing can completely eliminate the risk of flooding. People are urged sign up now to receive flood warnings via 0345 988 1188 or GOV.UK/Flood, where there is also information on the practical things people can do to protect their businesses, homes and valuables.
Background
- In the 2020 Budget, the government doubled its investment in England's flood and coastal scheme construction by committing a record £5.2bn between 2021 and 2027. This commitment will better protect 336,000 properties, including homes, businesses and hospitals.
- The construction of defences, such as flood walls, embankments and gates, is a key tool for reducing flood risk to homes, businesses and critical infrastructure - alongside other methods such as natural flood management and property level resilience.
- The Environment Agency is a world-leading flood risk management authority. Its expertise in flood and coastal change management protects millions of people every year and is internationally recognised.
- The Environment Agency is the leading organisation for protecting and improving the environment in England. It is responsible for making sure that air, land and water are looked after by today's society, so that tomorrow's generations inherit a cleaner, healthier world. Its five-year plan for reaching a cleaner, greener and healthier future is available on GOV.UK.
