The Environment Agency is calling on Newhaven, Seaford and Lewes residents to take part in an innovative project that will identify the best ways of adapting to the long term threats of coastal climate change.
As part of the Coastal Communities 2150 (CC2150) project, the Environment Agency is calling for community representatives including residents, businesses and local authorities, to get involved in setting up a group to plan ahead and decide how best to tackle these issues.
The coast around South East England is changing. With this in mind, the European funded CC2150 project aims to help communities get better prepared for the future effects of rising sea levels, increased flood risk and sinking land levels.
The Environment Agency will be hosting an open information evening for all those interested in getting involved at the Hillcrest Community Centre in Newhaven on Monday 16 January between 6pm and 8pm.
Together with the Environment Agency, the group will share views and influence how we can all best prepare for climate change along our coastline. New ways of adapting to these risks can provide new opportunities to build a better future for all.
By 2150, it is estimated that around 3,000 properties within Newhaven, Seaford and Lewes will be at risk of river and coastal flooding. We need to ensure future development does not compromise our ability to manage increasing flood risk by building homes too close to defences, and that the water quality of our rivers and the environment in general is protected.
John Gower, Environment Agency Project Manager, said: “Decisions taken today will have a significant and lasting impact on our coastline and the communities who will live and work along it in 2150, just as Victorian decision making has influenced how we manage our coastline today.
“The existing flood defence structures in these East Sussex communities are ageing. This will eventually have an impact on services such as rail and road networks, and will mean the electricity substation and properties are at greater risk of flooding. This means communities need to plan ahead now for how they will contribute to managing their flood risk and their local environment in the future.
“That’s why I urge everyone with an interest in safeguarding the future of these East Sussex towns to get involved and have their say on how we all can shape the future of these communities for generations to come.”
For further information on CC2150 or to register your interest in being part of the group, contact John Gower, CC2150 Project Manager, by email at: john.gower@environment-agency.gov.uk or visit the website at: www.cc2150.eu
Over five million people in England and Wales are at risk from flooding from rivers and the sea. Those in flood risk areas should sign up to the Environment Agency’s free flood warning system – the most immediate and localised source of information on flooding – by calling 0845 9881188 or visiting www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood
1. Coastal communities across Europe face the prospect of significant change as rising sea levels and higher storms surges increase the risk of coastal erosion, flooding and salinisation.
2. CC2150 is a three year €2.9 million European communications project part-funded by the European 2 Seas programme between the Environment Agency, Kent County Council, Hampshire County Council in the UK, and Alterra in the Netherlands, and the Province of West-Flanders and Agency for MCS – Coastal Division in Belgium. Its aim is to develop community centred communications to enable communities to actively engage in long term coastal change adaptation strategies.
3. CC2150 is supported by the following funders:
- INTERREG 2 SEAS programme: Cross border cooperation programme
- In the UK: Defra; Environment Agency; Kent County Council; Hampshire County Council; Natural England.