Policy paper

Sandwich Town tidal defences

Updated 22 September 2015

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sandwich-town-tidal-defences/sandwich-town-tidal-defences

Latest update: September 2015

Background

The Sandwich Town Tidal Defence Scheme is a partnership between the Environment Agency, Pfizer and Kent County Council. Some areas of Sandwich had a low standard of protection, only 1-in-20 chance of tidal flooding every year. Following the Pegwell Bay to Kingsdown coastal defence strategy in 2008, the Environment Agency developed a tidal flood defence scheme to provide a 1-in-200 standard of protection to 488 homes and 94 commercial properties in Sandwich.

The new tidal flood defence scheme will also protect:

  • the neighbouring Discovery Park (Pfizer site),

  • valuable infrastructure, such as the main coastal access routes,

  • important tourist and employment areas.

The scheme is the single largest flood defence scheme in Kent for 3 decades and the first of its kind, in terms of being delivered in partnership with both public and private finance. The final cost of the scheme is £24.6 million (£23.5 million project cost, plus £1.1 million flood recovery works). The scheme was made up of 16 sections of defences along the banks of the River Stour. The works involved building:

  • a new tidal flood relief area outside of the town at Broadsalts;

  • 14 kilometres of flood walls and embankments on both banks of the River Stour;

  • a 1 metre high flood wall at Sandwich Quay.

Construction began on the scheme in March 2013. The Environment Agency expects the work to be substantially complete by autumn 2015; apart from a small section of works near the entrance of Gazen Salts. This work is currently on hold due to the planting season and design alterations.

‘Sandwich Ceremony’ and photo competition

On Friday 11 September the Environment Agency held a ceremony and photo competition at the Guild Hall in Sandwich to celebrate the completion of the town’s new tidal defence scheme. The event was a huge success and many residents and local key representatives attended to show their support. The winners of the photo competition were announced and the team gathered feedback and answered questions about the works. The winner’s names and a few of the comments gathered from the day below are listed below.

Photo competition:

  • Over 18: Chris Upton (1st), Daniel Tranham (2nd)

  • Under 18: Ethan Latyner (1st), Molly Hewer (2nd)

Feedback

  • ‘’Excellent plans and work carried out. Very helpful staff when the tidal surge hit – thank you!’’

  • ‘’I have been part of this scheme since 2012 and recognise it as being very complicated. This adds to the obvious success that we see before us now. Well done all parties.’’

  • ‘’Done a great job especially the quay. Well done!’’

  • ‘’An absolute bonus for Sandwich and the surrounding areas. A beautiful quay but also a wonderful sea defence. Well done!!’’

Your feedback is important. If you would like to send the Project Team any comments you have, you can send them using the details below.

Recent work

The majority of the works are now complete. You will notice some areas still have fencing in places which will be removed once the ‘finishing touches’ have been carried out and the working areas have been tidied. Since April, the embankment works north of Richborough Road and raising of the existing access track have been completed. Behind Aynsley Court the temporary ‘sandbag wall’ has been replaced with a new brick clad reinforced concrete wall, to match the rest of this section. The embankment works near the Princes Golf Course, Black Sluice, Monks Wall Nature Reserve and behind Highway Marine Boat Yard are now complete. As previously mentioned, there is a small section of works near the entrance of Gazen Salts which needs to be completed; the contractors will carry out these works as soon as possible.

Thank you

The Sandwich Project Team have worked closely with the local community to ensure that, in addition to its more functional purpose of flood protection, the new defence enhances the experience of visitors to the town and hopefully boosts local tourism. The team would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for your cooperation and patience during our works. Your support has been crucial throughout the scheme – Thank you!

Contact

For more information about the Sandwich Town Tidal Defences, please contact Louise Sturgeon at the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 or email: [email protected].

You can also follow the work on Twitter (@EnvAgencySE #sandwichtowntidal).

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