Work starts on major £18M Newhaven flood defence project

Environment Agency begin work on scheme to protect homes and businesses from flooding in Newhaven.

After two years of development including public consultation, the Environment Agency has begun work on a scheme that will reduce flood risk to over 800 homes and businesses and vital infrastructure.

After a competitive tendering process, the Environment Agency has employed the services of contractors JacksonHyder to carry out design and construction of this scheme.

The Newhaven flood alleviation scheme has been developed in partnership with Lewes District Council, East Sussex County Council, the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and South East LEP.

By significantly improving existing tidal defences in the East Sussex town, the Newhaven flood alleviation scheme will reduce risk to around 431 homes and 387 commercial properties.

Floods Minister Thérèse Coffey said: “This £18M flood defence scheme is a great example of our commitment to better protect the Sussex coast from the kind of devastating flooding experienced in 2013.

“All along this coastline, communities are thriving and growing. But we understand the region’s full potential cannot be realised without tackling flood risk. That’s exactly what we’re working with our partners to achieve in Newhaven and throughout the country.

Gordon Wilson, Environment Agency Area Flood and Coastal Risk Manager, said: “I am delighted that construction has started and I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Newhaven community for their invaluable feedback and support throughout the design, consultation and planning processes.

“In order to improve the current aging flood defences, unavoidably there may be some disruption whilst essential construction work takes place. We always aim to keep any disruption to a minimum and we thank the community in advance for their ongoing support.”

The Coast to Capital LEP and South East LEP are each contributing £1.5M, as part of their wider commitment to regeneration in Newhaven. This funding has allowed the scheme to start construction in January 2017.

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