Coast to Capital is supporting a range of projects designed to improve the resilience of the region's flood defences. £11 million has been invested in projects in Newhaven, Shoreham-by-Sea and Lancing which will protect over 3,000 properties.
£1.5 million Local Growth Fund (LGF) investment has been provided by Coast to Capital to Newhaven Flood Defences. Work at this project has varied from minor measures to plug gaps in existing defences, to sizable sections of new concrete flood wall and earth embankment. The whole scheme is expected to be completed by 2019 and once finished, it will reduce flood risk to approximately 430 homes and 390 commercial properties and vital infrastructure, as well as bringing significant economic benefits to the coastal East Sussex town.
Coast to Capital also contributed £6 million to reduce the risk of flooding to Shoreham-by-Sea and Lancing where the Environment Agency has been developing a major improvements scheme, 'Shoreham Adur Tidal Walls'. The project will significantly reduce flood risk to over 2,300 properties. Work has now started on 8 out of 10 individual areas.
A further contribution of £3.5 million was made to the Shoreham Harbour Flood Defences Western Harbour Arm project which is being delivered by Adur District Council. This project will provide a flood defence solution along the Sussex Yacht Club site frontage. As well as helping to protect homes and businesses in the immediate area it will provide, for the first time, a footpath on the south side of the A259 providing a link between the new developments planned for the Western Harbour Arm and Shoreham town centre.
Jonathan Sharrock, Chief Executive at Coast to Capital Said:
"It is fantastic to see progress at our Flood Defence projects. Our partners and their teams have worked incredibly hard to improve regional resilience and now thanks to their hard work over 3,000 properties will be significantly more protected."
Gordon Wilson, Environment Agency Flood Manager, said:
"When complete, the Newhaven and Shoreham Adur Tidal Walls schemes will reduce the risk of flooding to thousands of homes, a significant number of commercial properties, and some crucial infrastructure. The schemes will also support the wider regeneration of the communities they protect, helping to bring new investment, jobs and homes to the area. These projects are one part of the Environment Agency's national effort to reduce the risk of flooding for at least 300,000 homes by 2020/21."
James Appleton, The Head of Planning and Development for Adur and Worthing Councils said:
"Whilst development sites along the Western Harbour Arm will be expected to provide the necessary flood defence, funding needed to be secured for a flood defence solution for the Yacht Club site. The award of the funding has helped to ensure that a comprehensive flood defence solution is a reality as well as greatly enhancing accessibility along the A259 to the benefit of the local community."
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