Newhaven flood defence scheme almost complete

The Environment Agency, in partnership with Lewes District Council, is putting finishing touches to the Newhaven flood alleviation scheme.

The scheme, estimated to cost around £18 million, will reduce the risk of flooding to approximately 430 homes and 390 businesses in and around the East Sussex town of Newhaven.

According to the latest update, the Environment Agency has constructed over 4 kilometres of flood defences over the last 2 years in Newhaven. The scheme is nearly complete and is already better protecting more than 300 homes and 200 businesses from tidal flooding.

In December 2013, the south coast of England was hit by a storm surge from the North Sea. The storm saw hurricane-force winds and the highest tide in some places for almost 60 years.

This scheme is designed to provide a 1-in-200-year standard of protection, taking into account the effects of climate change. This means that in any one year there will be a 0.5% chance that Newhaven will experience flooding from the sea.

Construction of the scheme started in January 2017 and is scheduled to be complete by spring 2021.