the plan - environment agency

The Environment Agency is today (10 December 2008) announcing its decision to restore the Cuckmere estuary to a tidal floodplain, allowing this popular landmark to adapt to the impacts of climate change and providing great benefits to both visitors and wildlife.

Climate change, sea level rise and past interference by man have put the Cuckmere estuary under increasing pressure. Current flood defences are not high enough to cope with sea level rise, the river has not flowed through the winding meanders since the 1840’s and each year the Environment Agency spends up to £50,000 removing shingle from the mouth of the river.

Andrew Pearce, Environment Agency Area Manager for Kent and East Sussex, said: “We believe there is a better way to manage this special place. Climate change is presenting us with many challenges and the way we manage flood risk here has to change. Restoring the Cuckmere estuary to a tidal floodplain will allow the area to adapt to climate change and will bring with it great opportunities and benefits for visitors and wildlife.”

Last year the Environment Agency offered people the opportunity to give their views on the recommendation to stop maintaining the existing defences. The Environment Agency has now finalised its flood risk management strategy for the Cuckmere estuary and all those who own or occupy land in the area have now been informed of the decision to withdraw maintenance after a two year notice period.

Andrew Pearce continued: “This is a beautiful landmark and an undeveloped area and it wouldn’t be right to continually build bigger defences here. Our decision will not increase flood risk for any properties in the Cuckmere River catchment. But it will save valuable flood risk management money which can then be directed to where it is most needed to protect people and properties.”

Each year the Environment Agency spends up to £50,000 of flood risk management money removing shingle from the river mouth to enable the river to flow out to the sea and reduce the risk of flooding upstream at Alfriston and Westdean. Following the 2 year notice period, the Environment Agency will continue to do this work for as long as it is required. When the tidal floodplain is restored, the river will be able to keep itself clear. This could take up to 15 years.

Andrew Pearce added: “We do know there will be a lot of concern for the future of this popular landmark and we are not just walking away, We believe a more natural estuary will still provide plenty of opportunity for people to continue to enjoy this wonderful area and as a member of the Cuckmere Estuary Partnership we will work with local residents and businesses to identify how to manage the changes to the estuary in the future so that the public can continue to enjoy this area and wildlife can thrive.”

In its draft flood risk management strategy, the Environment Agency compared several options for managing flood risk on the Cuckmere estuary. More than 100 people responded to the draft and over 250 people attended exhibition sessions. Over half of those who responded to the consultation between September and December 2007 believed that some kind of management change needs to happen.

[Source: The Environment Agency]