Press release: Chance to shape Lincolnshire’s coastal flood risk strategy

The Environment Agency (EA) is launching a consultation on Monday 5 February on its strategy options to manage coastal flood risk between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point over the next 100 years.

The EA’s current flood defence work along this stretch of Lincolnshire’s coastline reduces flood risk for 20,000 residential homes, 1,700 businesses, 24,500 static caravans, 35,000 hectares of farmland and a bustling tourist industry.

This consultation will help the EA form a new strategy that will continue to manage coastal flood risk in the most sustainable way, keeping pace with climate change. The new strategy will go to consultation later this year.

The EA has worked with partners and stakeholders to reduce a long-list of possible coastal flood risk management options to a shortlist of six options, which are now being taken forward to public consultation.

All of the options being considered for consultation include a form of beach ‘nourishment’, the process of putting extra sand on beaches to restore levels lost naturally to the sea. This is currently one of the key ways in which the EA manages coastal flood risk along Lincolnshire’s coastline. Full details on each of the options are available online and will also be displayed at the public drop-in events which will be held over the coming weeks.

A full Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is being carried out to assess the environmental impact of the strategy. The SEA will make sure the EA can continue to manage coastal flood risk without negatively affecting the vast array of valuable habitats, species, landscapes and seascapes that Lincolnshire’s coastline has to offer.

This consultation is open for a six week period and invites everyone to get involved and share their views. The consultation starts on 5 February 2018. Submissions can be made online, at one of the public drop-ins or through a postal consultation form which can be requested by calling 0208 4749987.

Commenting on the consultation, EA Flood and Coastal Risk manager Deborah Campbell said:

This strategy review will help us continue to manage coastal flood risk for thousands of homes, businesses and static caravans as well as agricultural land and a vibrant tourist industry in Lincolnshire’s coastal communities over the next 100 years.

In the lead-up to this consultation we worked with partners and stakeholders, including a number of elected representatives, to help us reduce a long-list of options for flood risk management on this stretch of the coast to a shorter list of six.

This consultation process will allow the coastal communities we serve along Lincolnshire’s coastline to get involved and have their say. The process will enable us to gather invaluable information and allow us to make an informed decision on how we will manage coastal flood risk between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point over the next 100 years.

The following public drop-in events have been scheduled. Registration for these events is not necessary; simply show up on the day.

  • 14 February 2018, 2pm-7pm at Bacchus Hotel, 17 High St Sutton on Sea LN122EY
  • 16 February 2018, 10am-4pm at Gibraltar Point Visitors Centre, Gibraltar Road, Skegness PE244ST
  • 21 February 2018, 2pm-7pm at Embassy Theatre, Grand Parade, Skegness PE252UG
  • 23 February 2018, 2pm-7pm at Village Hall, Sea Road, Anderby PE245YD
  • 27 February 2018, 2pm-7pm at Methodist Church, Main Road, Saltfleet LN117TP
  • 5 March 2018, 2.30pm-7.30pm at Village Hall, 28 Sea Road, Chapel St Leonards PE245SA



Open consultation: Proposed catch limits for February 2018

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) sets monthly catch limits for quota species to ensure the UK stays within the overall limit set by the EU. These limits apply to all under 10 meter vessels and the over 10 meter vessels that are not in a co-operative (Producer Organisation).

Please contact the MMO if you have any comment to make about the suggested catch limits which will be put into force on 1 February 2018.

Comments to be received no later than 8am on Monday 29 January 2018.

Email FMTConsultations@marinemanagement.org.uk

Telephone 0208 0 269 097

The MMO will regularly consult industry on monthly or other catch limits and will, wherever possible, ensure that any representations are taken into account when setting such limits. The MMO reserve the right to alter catch limits and / or close fisheries without prior notice or consultation in the event that such actions are necessary and expedient for the regulation of sea fishing.




Press release: New multi-million pound flood scheme in Birmingham opened

The scheme, which cost £2.7million to construct, has been delivered as part of the Environment Agency’s programme of £2.5bn investment into flood defences across the country. The scheme was made possible through a partnership with Birmingham City Council and St Andrew’s Healthcare.

The flood defences include a 500m long embankment on the public open space next to Dogpool Lane bridge. By doing this, the Environment Agency has created a flood storage area which will store water from the River Rea during times of heavy rainfall and then slowly release it back into the river when river water levels go down. The Environment Agency have also built a new flood wall and a higher river bank at the rear of 15 homes which back onto the river.

Mike Adams from the Environment Agency said:

We’re pleased to deliver these flood protection measures for the people of Selly Park South. This community has experienced the terrible effects of flooding and the measures we’ve built here reduces future risk of flooding. We would like to thank local people for their patience and support throughout the building of this scheme.

Councillor Lisa Trickett, Cabinet Member for the Environment from Birmingham City Council said:

We’ve seen the devastating impact that flooding can have on communities, so I am delighted that these new measures are now in place. These will make a real difference by reducing the risk of flooding to hundreds of homes and businesses in Selly Park South.

Along with flood defences, knowing your flood risk is also important when protecting your family and property from flooding. People can check their risk and register to receive free flood warnings online or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.




Press release: New multi-million pound flood scheme in Birmingham opened

The scheme, which cost £2.7million to construct, has been delivered as part of the Environment Agency’s programme of £2.5bn investment into flood defences across the country. The scheme was made possible through a partnership with Birmingham City Council and St Andrew’s Healthcare.

The flood defences include a 500m long embankment on the public open space next to Dogpool Lane bridge. By doing this, the Environment Agency has created a flood storage area which will store water from the River Rea during times of heavy rainfall and then slowly release it back into the river when river water levels go down. The Environment Agency have also built a new flood wall and a higher river bank at the rear of 15 homes which back onto the river.

Mike Adams from the Environment Agency said:

We’re pleased to deliver these flood protection measures for the people of Selly Park South. This community has experienced the terrible effects of flooding and the measures we’ve built here reduces future risk of flooding. We would like to thank local people for their patience and support throughout the building of this scheme.

Councillor Lisa Trickett, Cabinet Member for the Environment from Birmingham City Council said:

We’ve seen the devastating impact that flooding can have on communities, so I am delighted that these new measures are now in place. These will make a real difference by reducing the risk of flooding to hundreds of homes and businesses in Selly Park South.

Along with flood defences, knowing your flood risk is also important when protecting your family and property from flooding. People can check their risk and register to receive free flood warnings online or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.




Corporate report: NDA and PHE Epidemiology Governance Group Annual Report 2016 to 2017

Significant epidemiological and radiobiological research involving nuclear industry workers was previously sponsored by parts of the UK nuclear industry.

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) now own and manage this work and its assets. Public Health England (PHE) are contracted by NDA to maintain and carry out research on these assets.

The NDA-PHE Epidemiology Governance Group provides Independent governance and oversight of this work.