The Blythe Estuary Strategy

Several areas in Suffolk are becoming increasingly susceptible to flooding. One of the estuaries, The Blythe, has numerous defences already in place; but with many hectares of land behind the defences are already lower than the average high water level, so we needed to address the problem.

So, we started work in 2004 on a consultation document outlining the risks in the region. Environmental, economic and technical appraisals were held. We surveyed the estuary, looked at how natural and man-made changes had affected it, and then made a computer model that predicted a number of scenarios - like worst-case sea levels hitting the current defences. While all that was going on, we also assessed the value of the land and property, and looked at the risk to life, land use, protected habitats, water quality and resources, navigation and recreational use - before finally looking at annual weather changes for the best time to commence our projects. There were a myriad of issues to consider, from the Buff-Breasted Sandpipers who could lose their feeding grounds on Tinkers Marsh, to the fisherman whose harbour was under threat. Balancing everyone's needs was paramount.

The strategy, right from construction stage, will involve a huge number of people including the Suffolk Coasts and Heaths Unit, the National Trust, English Nature, local Parish Councils, the River Blythe Navigation Group, Waveney Harbour Authority and a variety of other businesses, farming and sailing groups - not to mention all the local residents.

And now, work is about to start on a number of other projects. Over the next century, we expect to spend £47 million in the area. If we can protect those at risk - people and wildlife - then it'll be money very well spent.