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News Update - March 2009Story date: 28th March 2009
REPORT FROM THE PUBLIC MEETING HELD ON 7 FEBRUARY 2009
Approximately eighty people attended the meeting which opened at 10.30pm. Barbara Priestman, the Chairman, opened the meeting and explained the situation to date. She stated that just over 2 years ago the first public meeting was held in response to village-wide concern about the effects of storm damage in the village and surrounding areas - and the Environment Agency's policy of “do nothing” to protect them. The Sea Defence Group was formed and the first plan was to raise money to repair the shingle bank ourselves and, at the same time, put pressure on the EA to revisit its policy. Money was raised and pressure applied. SDG obtained legal advice, pro bono, from Lovell’s, regarding planning consents and the constraints under which any construction work or digging would have to operate. Engineering advice was obtained from HR Wallingford. The Blyth Estuary Group had already been formed and SCAR (Suffolk Coast Against Retreat) was just starting up, representing public concern about the future of communities and landscapes up and down the coast. SDG allied itself to both groups. It also talked to many experts and lay people, inhabitants of the village and visitors; read and researched a great deal so that a body of knowledge and experience was built up which was helpful when talking to EA and NE (Natural England). Many meetings have since been held with them which have resulted in an improved understanding on both sides. The Chairman also stated that a huge effort had gone into raising over £14,000 from a variety of sources. So far expenses stood at £5,800. She explained that they did not intend, at present, to call in the pledges that were made so generously 2 years ago. The bulk of the surplus had been deposited with the Charities' Official Investment Fund and the Village would be consulted when the Sea Defence Group needed to start spending again. David Webb had produced wonderful slides of the area which he displayed on the projector while explaining the process by which the Sea Defence Group had reached their current position. He reported that the expert in barrier beaches, Dr Alan Brampton, had advised that the shingle ridge was best left to form a lower natural profile. He had also agreed it was feasible to dig a new soak-dyke and use the clay from this to build up the existing bank, which was how the banks were first created well over a hundred years ago. This proposal had been discussed with the EA and NE. While they were supportive of a self-help scheme they were unable to agree to a joint-funded venture and stressed that a number of legal approvals would have to be obtained. NE stated we would have to prove that the environment would not be damaged by the work and they could not see us being able to do this. An alternative route along the seaward bank of the Dunwich River was suggested by NE, but the Sea Defence Group view was that this would not be cost effective. The EA had confirmed that funding had been obtained to carry out minor works in the Walberswick to Dunwich frontage. This would include an additional sluice to enable the marshes to drain (and, therefore, recover) more quickly after a flood. It is likely that this would be built alongside the existing sluice and work would commence in the autumn. Those present at the meeting approved the following actions to be undertaken by the SDG: a. Monitor the effectiveness of the lower-profile shingle ridge and the inner bank b. Look at protecting the dunes between the beach huts, the harbour and ‘East Point’ bay. New fencing would be required. c. Consider raising the river wall from the Bailey Bridge to the Old Vicarage in line with BEG plans. This would involve working with other landowners. David Webb introduced Richard Steward, who explained that despite recent investigations, which proved that their original River Blyth Strategy was flawed, the Environment Agency were going to proceed with their policy of ceasing to maintain the river banks. This would eventually also mean the loss of the harbour walls, which were already crumbling, and, when the north dock wall failed, it would effectively close the harbour with the subsequent loss of all the moorings and hence the businesses there. The funding required to save the harbour walls would only be available if assurance could be given that the defence banks upstream would be maintained for at least twenty five years. If the Environment Agency could not be persuaded to take responsibility for maintenance, landowners and local people would have to take action. The meeting was opened to the public. Mrs. Jenny Cardwell thanked David Webb for his excellent presentation and also the Group for all their work on the sea defences. She also thanked Richard Steward for pursuing the quest for saving the river walls. This was supported by all residents in attendance who thanked all who had worked on both the Sea Defence Group and the Blyth Estuary Group Mr John Nicholls, who resides in The Lea, reported that the Environment Agency had stated that they would erect a ring bank to protect the Lea but additional funding would be required. He considered that the Environment Agency was now taking definite steps to meet the concerns of the residents of the Lea. Mrs. Pru Ford - Crush questioned the effect protecting the banks would have on the A12, as according to recent reports £1.85 million was being found to raise the road at Blythburgh. David Webb and Richard Steward considered that this would not be necessary if the maintenance work was carried out. County Councillor Leighton disagreed stating that Local Authorities had secured the money to raise the A12. He considered this to be of great benefit and stated that the Local Authorities were continually putting pressure on the government. County Councillor Sue Allen, Chairman of the Blyth Estuary Group thanked Richard Steward for his tremendous work, stating that the Blyth Estuary Group would not be at this stage without his tireless contribution. Barbara Priestman concluded the meeting by stating that unless somebody was willing to devote a lifetime and huge amounts of money to taking on the EA, we would not be able to change the law. However, some progress had been made – Walberswick's sea defences would be improved and the new sluice would reduce the length of time the marshes would be under salt water following exceptionally high tides. She thanked David Webb and Richard Steward for their work and also the secretary, Vivien Hunt . Residents would be kept informed of progress. It was likely that local fund raising would be necessary if the harbour walls, river walls and sea defences were to be protected for the future. It was in everybody’s interest now to support the efforts of the Blyth Estuary Group in making the Environment Agency change its strategy and to support self-help projects by Blois Estates and other landowners, including the Walberswick Common Lands Charity Trust. Current members of Sea Defence Group: Barbara Priestman (Chair), Vivien Hunt (Secretary), David Webb, Wally Webb, Maddie Dabbs, Robin Buncombe, Alvin Hunt, Mandy Aldridge, Brian Tibbles, Brian Morton. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Recent Stories :
28th Mar 2009 - News Update - March 2009 28th Nov 2007 - November Surge Tides 21st Nov 2007 - November Newsletter Join our mailing list if you would like to have these news items sent to you automatically by email. Dont worry, your email address is used only for sending you the news emails that you have requested and is not passed to anyone else in any way. We will only send you informative news of the WSDG and NOTHING else. You can, of course, unsubscribe at any time by replying to any mailing with the word REMOVE in the subject line.
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