Much of Romney Marsh is below the present day high tide level and 14,500 homes, 700 businesses and nationally important critical infrastructure are at risk of flooding.
In the Folkestone to Cliff End Strategy (FoCES), the Environment Agency set out plans to manage flood and erosion risks along the coastline of Romney Marsh over the next 100 years, taking the predicted impacts of climate change into account. Over the next three financial years the Environment Agency will be preparing business cases for the Rother Tidal Walls East, Lydd Ranges, Hythe Ranges and Romney Sands schemes.
These defenses will be a part of the local environment, so it is important that local people and groups are involved in their development. There are aspects such as construction materials, amenity use and visual appearance that local communities may be able to help shape.
There will be a drop-in session today, from 11am to 8pm at the school Creative Centre, New Road, Rye.
The Environment Agency is also setting up a Community Engagement Group for the project where local representatives will work with the project team to help the flood risk solution fit with the local community.
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