Communities were yesterday given the clearest indication yet by a government agency that they can build their own DIY sea and flood defences if no government money can be found to protect homes and land.

But the move was branded as “yet another cop out” in the management of the coast by a leading coastal campaigner.

The Environment Agency (EA) plans to stop maintaining defences around the Blyth estuary, near Southwold, over the next 20 years, which could leave thousands of acres of farmland, about 20 homes and the A12 Ipswich to Lowestoft road at increased risk of flooding. (more…)

THE senior official at the sharp end of protest over the Environment Agency’s plans to abandon some of the flood defences in Suffolk’s estuaries has moved to a new job overseeing the region’s response to the threat of inland and coastal flooding.

Dr Charles Beardall has moved from his job at Ipswich as the agency’s area manager, covering Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex, to become regional flood and coastal risk manager for the east of England, based in Peterborough.

It was also revealed yesterday that extra staff members are being drafted in to the agency’s Suffolk-based team to help deal with coastal issues, including engagement with a public which has proved hostile to plans for “managed retreat”. (more…)

Villagers fighting to protect their land and homes from being lost to the sea were offered a glimmer of hope yesterday.

The Environment Agency’s Eastern Regional Flood Defence Committee (RFDC) met to discuss plans to abandon flood defences around the Blyth estuary in north Suffolk.

The Environment Agency (EA) wants to stop repairing the flood walls, which protect land and property around Blythburgh, Southwold, Reydon and Walberswick, because it says it cannot afford the £35m needed to maintain them.

The RFDC yesterday looked at submissions which have been received during the year-long consultation process and asked the EA to reconsider its strategy for the estuary. (more…)

THE Environment Agency has been met with strong opposition from residents over its plans to push ahead with a policy of “managed retreat” on the Blyth Estuary.

The Environment Agency has confirmed its plans to abandon huge swathes of the Suffolk coast to the sea – despite massive criticism of the plans.

Suffolk County Council has responded by launching a £1.6m bid to heighten a stretch of the A12 at Blythburgh to stop the key link road between Ipswich and Lowestoft flooding.

John Gummer, Suffolk Coastal MP and a former Secretary of State for the Environment, said the EA’s decision is a disgrace. (more…)

CAMPAIGNERS have pleaded with Prime Minister Gordon Brown to intervene in plans to abandon flood defences on the Suffolk coast.

The protestors, angry at plans to withdraw funding for flood defences on the Blyth estuary, staged a demonstration on Southwold promenade – timed to coincide with the Prime Minister’s holiday on the Suffolk coast.

Hundreds of people formed a human chain, linking arms and holding banners reading “Gord Help Us” and “Save Our Shoreline”. (more…)

HUNDREDS of campaigners today formed a human chain along Southwold’s promenade to send a message to Gordon Brown about the Governent’s policy of abandoning the Suffolk coast to the ravages of the sea.

The Blyth Estuary protestors – who are angry about the Environment Agency’s plans to withdraw funding for flood defences at the Blyth Estuary – took their fight to Mr Brown, who is currently enjoying a summer holiday in the area.

The protesters linked arms and chanted “SOS” while some held banners saying: “Gord Help Us. Save Our Shoreline.” (more…)