The £14.5 million partnership scheme includes the construction of a new tidal river wall to protect over 2,000 residential properties and businesses against 100 years of predicted sea level rise. It will also vastly improve the walkway along the riverside, creating an attractive pedestrian route between the town and the beach.
Work to the flood wall will be complemented by design work which will raise the promenade, enhancing the views across the river. Careful planning has also gone into ensuring that the new promenade has wide visual appeal through the use of improved lighting, tree planting and attractive seating areas. The materials have been carefully chosen to preserve the coastal identity of Littlehampton whilst being robust enough to endure the exposed conditions.
The scheme, which includes flood defences from the lighthouse on the Promenade to north of the A259, is expected to be completed by the end of 2014. The project is a partnership between the Environment Agency, Arun District Council, West Sussex County Council, Littlehampton Harbour Board and Littlehampton Town Council, all of whom have worked together to ensure the plans will deliver maximum benefit in terms of both flood defence and environmental improvements.
David Robinson, Environment Agency Flood and Coastal Risk Operations Manager , said: “ This is a major landmark in this important flood defence scheme. We are very keen to work with residents and businesses throughout this project and I would like to thank them in advance for their patience and understanding whilst these construction works take place.”
Philippa Dart, Assistant Director of Environmental Services, speaking on behalf of Arun District Council , said: “ It will be very exciting to watch this project unfold. We are all looking forward to seeing the end result which we believe will be a significant improvement to the promenade area between the seafront and the Town centre.
“As well as protecting the many properties which would previously have been at risk of tidal river flooding, we hope that these improvements will attract more visitors and tourists to the area and provide a more enjoyable experience for local residents. It brings to fruition Arun’s long held aspiration of having a high quality, uninterrupted pedestrian link between the Town centre and the sea front.”
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Press Release, October 9, 2013