Van Oord Wins Work to Alleviate Flood Risks in Kent (UK)

More than 1,400 properties between Camber and Lydd will benefit as work begins on the Broomhill Sands Coastal Defense Scheme in Kent.

The Environment Agency has appointed Team Van Oord to construct the scheme, which will cover 2.4km of beach from the Suttons, Camber to the western boundary of Lydd Ranges and will include:

• a new 1.7km rock revetment and tidal wave wall;
• increasing the amount of shingle along 700 meters of the beach;
• the replacement of a number of the existing timber groynes with eight new 54m groynes to stabilize the beach and retain beach material;
• widened and improved access along the tops of the sea defenses.

The rock for the new revetment will be imported from Norway and will be delivered by barge.

The works are scheduled for completion in December 2015 and will improve the flood protection to more than 1,300 homes and 100 businesses by increasing the standard of protection to the area from 1 in 20 years to 1 in 200 years. The scheme will also protect vital infrastructure in the area including the main coastal road and sewage treatment works.

The scheme is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and the Environment Agency has used this funding to employ an artist, Will Nash, to design and produce some sculptures which will be worked into the final scheme. The sculptures are to be formed out of the remnant timber groynes and will be installed in the area.

Ian Nunn, Environment Agency Operations Manager, said: “I am delighted that work is able to start on this important new scheme, an essential project which I know is important for the people of Camber and Lydd Ranges. Our team will make every effort to minimise the impact on local residents and businesses throughout the construction of the new scheme, and work will be restricted to between 8am and 6pm.”

In order to construct the scheme safely, sections of beach will need to be closed periodically throughout the project. As much of the beach will be made available to the public as possible, with a minimum of 200 meters always open.

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Press Release, August 21, 2014