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Environment Agency - Shifting sands mark time for start of Lincshore project

www.environment-agency.gov.uk

20 May 2011

Shifting thousands of tonnes of sand from the seabed to build up beach levels and help reduce flood risk to thousands of properties may seem like a huge task.

But that is exactly what the Environment Agency is preparing to do as it gets ready to begin its 2011 Lincshore beach nourishment campaign. Lincshore aims to combat decreased sand levels and increased risk of flooding caused by coastal erosion.

The £6-million project, which takes place each year on the Lincolnshire coast, will begin later this month or early next, depending on the weather, with the arrival of a specialised dredger.

It will see 400,000 cubic metres of sand pumped from licensed off-shore sites onto 20km of beach, including Trusthorpe, Boygrift, Trunch Lane, Chapel Six Marshes and Moggs Eye.

The mammoth scheme maintains protection against a one in 200 year tidal flood (0.5%) for 30,000 properties and 35,000 hectares of land.

In addition, the work also helps maintain the beaches as tourist attractions – without it, sand would be washed away leaving just a clay base.

Mike Dugher, Environment Agency Area Coastal Manager, said: “Increasing the level of the beach reduces the risk of waves reaching the main defences and going over the seawalls. It protects the clay foreshore against further erosion and prevents rapid deterioration of the defences.

“If the defences along the beaches which rely on the Lincshore project failed, there could be extensive damage to property and disruption to local communities. Tens of thousands of homes would be at severe risk of flooding, along with commercial and industrial properties. A number of important environmental sites would also be affected.

“The works will mean some unavoidable disruption to people in the area but we will make every effort to reduce this as much as possible. We hope they will understand the importance of carrying out this work to ensure properties and businesses along the Lincolnshire coast remain protected against tidal flooding and the area can look forward to a sustainable future.”

Lincshore first began in 1994 and covers beaches from Mablethorpe to Skegness.

The project is reviewed every five years to ensure it remains the best option for protecting homes and businesses from flooding. This year’s work is the second year of a five-year programme that will see £30 million spent protecting the coastline.

Lincshore offers the coast an excellent standard of protection but people living and working in coastal communities should take steps to ensure they know what to do in an emergency. To find out more, contact Floodline on 0845 988 1188 or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk