Improved flood defences for Norfolk

A project to better protect 2,100 homes in Great Yarmouth from flooding has been completed.

A lot of Great Yarmouth's flood defences are supported by steel and concrete quay walls and are over 50 years old and reaching the end of their design lives.

The improved flood defences will support the economic growth and development of Great Yarmouth, which has the potential to support 34,000 jobs and bring £1.5 billion to the economy.

Epoch 2 is the second part of a five-phase programme by the Environment Agency to improve flood defences in Great Yarmouth over the next 40 years. Epoch 1 concluded in 2017 after installing 630 metres of sheet pilling and refurbishing a further 85 metres.

Epoch 2 focused on refurbishing on 40 flood defence walls covering approximately 4km, which will extend their life for the next 30 to 50 years.

The project designed out lots of carbon and continued to use innovative construction techniques to further reduce it. In total, the project saved over 18,900 tonnes of carbon.

Tom Stanley, project manager for Epoch 2 said: "We know the devastating impact that flooding can have on communities like Great Yarmouth. So, protecting people and communities through projects like Epoch 2 is our top priority.

"We are already seeing the impacts of climate change in the UK and around the world, which is why urgent action is needed to adapt the impacts of climate emergency.

"We’re working towards ways of reducing flood risk that also reduce our carbon emissions helping us to reach net zero by 2030.

"Projects refurbishing existing flood defences and extending their life contribute to this, through less use of new and carbon intensive materials.

"We will continue to work to protect the people of Great Yarmouth for many years to come as the programme progresses.

"Everyone should know their flood risk and sign up for free flood warnings by going to https://www.gov.uk/check-flood-risk or calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188. You can also follow @EnvAgency on Twitter for the latest flood updates."

Photo © Mat Fascione (cc-by-sa/2.0)