Cuckmere Estuary Partnership

Q: It seems all or nothing! Would it be possible to protect the Eastern side (cell C and perhaps B) but allow flooding on the west side (cell A)?

A: The Environment Agency’s study that informed the flood risk management strategy does compare the benefits and cost of partial protection, but the economics were not beneficial.

In 2003, technical assessments were undertaken to check the flood risk implications of taking a phased approach to restoring a naturally functioning estuary. In summary, the assessment established that restoring the western flood plain alone would greatly increase the risk of collapse of the eastern flood bank. As a result, later studies have considered the estuary as a whole.

Further information can be found in the Cuckmere Estuary Strategy Project Appraisal Report.

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