Project News

Roach and Crouch Flood Management Strategy
The Environment Agency has approved the Roach and Crouch Flood Management Strategy. The final Strategy will be presented to the public and key organisations in Summer 2007, following approval of the Strategy by Defra.

North Battlesbridge Flood Defence Improvements
The Environment Agency is constructing improved flood defences on the north bank of the River Crouch in Battlesbridge to provide a 1 in 100 year standard of protection from flooding. This will be the first scheme to be delivered from the Roach & Crouch Flood Management Strategy, and will be completed at the end of 2006. The improved flood defences extend from the A130 for approximately 2 km downstream, reducing flooding risk to Battlesbridge.

Great Wakering Flood Management Scheme
The Environment Agency is developing a scheme to manage the risk of flooding from the sea and the River Roach in the area of Great Wakering. T he Great Wakering Flood Management Scheme is one of the first schemes to be promoted following the recommendations in the Roach and Crouch Flood Management Strategy. Over the past few months, we have been considering a range of flood management solutions for the Great Wakering area.

We will be holding an exhibition to meet with individuals and organisations that are interested in the scheme and display the flood management solutions in mid-September 2006 at the Memorial Hall in Great Wakering. For further information on the exhibition, please contact Phil Clow.

Flood defences removed as part of the Wallasea Wetlands Creation Project
On Tuesday 4 th July, sections of the flood defences along the north of Wallasea Island were removed as part of the Wallasea Wetlands Creation Project. Wallasea is a land-mark scheme for the area as it involves the Managed Realignment of sea defences and the creation of 110-120 hectares of wetland habitat. The scheme fits in with the Roach and Crouch strategy and will create a more sustainable estuary shape. The scheme will also provide valuable new intertidal habitat which will compensate for losses incurred through sea level rise and coastal squeeze. The total project cost is estimated to be in the region of £7 million.

For further details on the Wallasea Wetlands Creation Project visit http://www.abpmer.net/wallasea

ComCoast Project sets up Wallasea Wetlands Creation Project webcam
The ComCoast project has funded and set up a webcam at the Wallasea Wetlands Creation Project. The webcam (www.abpmer.net/wallasea/webcam1.asp) has been set up to give the public the opportunity to see a managed realignment scheme and to see how the Wallasea managed realignment scheme changes over time.

The ComCoast project deals with the identification and understanding of social, economic and technical opportunities and constraints of innovative coastal and flood risk management techniques and the delivery of a more sustainable environment. Blackwater and Colne Strategy due to be completed Autumn/Winter 2006

Stour and Orwell Flood Risk Management Strategy Plan
Halcrow and the Environment Agency have completed the first stage of the Stour and Orwell Flood Risk Management Strategy Plan. The work, which started in March 2004, has scoped the further work that is required to develop a strategy for the estuaries. The first stage of the work has undertaken a number of baseline studies including: a data collation exercise, an appraisal of the estuary processes, an inspection of the existing defences and a strategic environmental assessment. A hydrodynamic model, which includes the areas of land surrounding the estuary has also been set up for the estuary. This has been used in conjunction with a GIS package (MDSF) to predict the extent of flood damages for various events under present day conditions. The second stage of the work is scheduled to start in September 2006 and will build upon the baseline studies that have been completed already. The main focus of the next stage of the work will be to appraise the options for flood risk management around the estuary by considering a range of technical, economic and environmental issues. Consultation forms an important part of the strategy development and a stakeholder group has been set-up and mail shots sent out to the local community in stage 1. This approach will continue in stage 2 and may be supplemented by local meetings or exhibitions.

Hamford Water Flood Risk Management Strategy Plan
This is due to start in October 2006. The first stage of the work will be a scope out the key issues in the study area to allow the development of a focussed set of work packages to deliver an appropriate strategy for the area.