Work is underway on a £2 million Environment Agency scheme to refurbish the flood defence embankment in Stansgate, Essex, offering a higher level of protection to people living nearby.

The work is taking place along a stretch of coastline and is expected to last until December.

Image: The embankment works in progress

The scheme, which has a budget of over £2 million, will ensure the embankment continues to reduce the risk of flooding to more than 200 properties, including those in the nearby village of St Lawrence, as well as large areas of agricultural land and important habitat.

The old protection has deteriorated due to its age and needs replacing. If left, the embankment would wash away over time and eventually this would lead to flooding of the land behind.

Environment Agency contractors JBA Bentley are removing the old concrete scour protection from the embankment and replacing it with a specialist mix of stone and asphalt (OSA).

Environment Agency project lead Robert Brown said:

“This work will improve the condition of the defence and will reduce the need for maintenance works for many years to come.”

The Agency and JBA Bentley are working ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum. For example, the old concrete blocks will be placed at the bottom of the seawall to act as a wave break and habitat, which will remove the need to take them away by lorry.

The work is being complemented by a similar scheme undertaken by the landowner to repair adjoining defences.

Waterbriefing is media partner with the upcoming conference and exhibition The Flood Expo – which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham on 11th and 12th September this year.