Background
Following the Pegwell Bay to Kingsdown Coastal Defence Strategy (2008), we have been developing flood defence schemes for the towns of Sandwich and Deal. In the early stages it was most economical to develop the two schemes together. Now that we are moving to the detailed design phases we are separating them into two distinct schemes.
Below is the latest information on the Sandwich Town Tidal Defence scheme. If you would like to know more about the Deal Sea Defence scheme, please visit the Deal webpage.
Our proposals
Significant areas of Sandwich and Stonar Loop are at risk of tidal flooding. We have developed a scheme that will provide protection for a 1 in 200 year tidal event to 488 households, the neighbouring Discovery Park; valuable infrastructure, such as the main coastal access routes; and key tourist and employment areas.
The proposed scheme includes:
- construction of a tidal flood relief area outside of the town at Broad Salts, with associated spillway and embankments
- construction of flood walls and embankments of varying heights (between 0.5m - 1.2m in town) on both banks of the River Stour
- a 1m high new floodwall at Sandwich Quay (see our artistic impression).
In December 2009, we held an exhibition at Sandwich Guildhall to present the outline designs to local people. We used the feedback from this event to develop the outline designs further and in March 2010, we presented our draft designs to the Design Board Group (made up of local representatives and some key stakeholders) for feedback. Their comments have shaped our final outline design for the scheme.
Update
We are now developing our detailed designs, considering various environmental and design constraints. We have considered carefully how a new flood wall should compliment the appearance of the quayside. Our proposed design would use materials in keeping with the nearby historic buildings and could also provide some additional seating. You can view a landscape drawing showing a possible arrangement in the documents below.
The tidal flood relief area, which allows the river to overflow in a controlled way during an extreme flood event, has the potential to provide new wildlife habitats. We are aiming to create areas of wetland habitat as well as new public footpaths and facilities to observe and learn about birds and other wildlife in the area.
We will begin talking to individual landowners about how the scheme will progress shortly and will do our best to incorporate ideas for the detailed design where we can. We would also welcome any ideas for further landscaping that could be achieved in partnership with local businesses and Sandwich Town Council.
What happens next?
- Start detailed design: autumn 2011
- Planning approval for environmental mitigation works: March 2012
- Construction of environmental mitigation works: March 2012 – June 2012
- Planning approval for the main works: summer 2012
- Plan to start main construction: autumn 2012
- Expect construction to be substantially complete: autumn 2015
Documents
The following documents are available with more to be added in the future:
Contact us
If you have any questions or comments or would like to know more about the project, please contact Verity Kirstein
on 03708 506 506
or email us:
or write to us at:
Sandwich Town Tidal Defence Scheme
Environment Agency
Orchard House
Endeavour Park
London Road
Addington
West Malling
Kent, ME19 5SH
