Plans for a £4 million plus project to help protect Margate Old Town from flooding have been approved by Cabinet Members at Thanet District Council.
They were told at their meeting last night (Thursday 11 March) that the council has used a £98,000 grant to look at the scale of the problem and what can be done to solve it.
The current sea defences in Margate only offer protection against what's described as a one in 20 year storm event. The aim is to ensure that sea defences can now withstand much more extreme storm events, up to a level of those only seen once in every 200 years, so it is clear that improved protection is needed.
Different options were assessed, with two eventually shortlisted. The first, which would be the cheapest option, is a higher wall along the most vulnerable part of the seafront, but this would cut any views out to the sea. The second option is a series of wide steps from the beach to the promenade which absorb wave energy more efficiently and allow a lower wall to be built than in option one. New floodgates would also be installed as part of this option.
Funding of £4 million from the Environment Agency has already been allocated to the scheme, subject to technical approval. If the scheme does get approval, work could start within the next year, but the major part of the scheme would be constructed in 2011/12.
Cllr. Roger Latchford, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: "There is so much regeneration work going on in Margate Old Town, with the construction of Turner Contemporary, that we need to ensure that the area is adequately protected. However, that flood protection work needs to fit in with everything else we are doing. Clearly a high wall is not going to help with the town's regeneration. The beach and its harbour views are some of Margate's greatest natural assets and the last thing we want to do is affect those in any way. The scheme that we are recommending to the government on behalf of our residents is obviously the best option for Margate. It will cost more, but we are sure the government's advisors will support it."
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