New bid to save Cuckmere Valley (From The Argus)

New bid to save Cuckmere Valley

12:50pm Sunday 12th July 2009

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An environmental group has claimed its plans for one of Sussex’s most prized beauty spots could save the public millions.

The Cuckmere Valley Campaign wants to raise the existing banks of the river Cuckmere by a foot to protect the area after the Environment Agency said it would not fund new flood defences at the estuary.

It is estimated the plan would cost £900,000 and would retain trademark meanders, four popular footpaths and help keep 450,000 annual visitors.

The proposal is cheaper than an alternative proposal, which would see new flood defences built near the A259 at a cost of about £2.9 million.

Alan Edgar, campaign spokesman, said: “It is a significant saving on the public purse. The other proposal is a big money scandal.

“We have had overwhelming support for our plan from Seaford Town Council, Wealdon District Council and Lewes District Council.”

The group believes maintaining and updating the existing banks is sufficient to protect the area in the short to medium term.

Richard Mann, chairman of Cuckmere Valley Parish Council, said: “Our plan to raise the banks by a small amount would be significantly less costly and sustainable than trying to protect the A259 coastal road from tidal surges and storms if flooding were to happen.

“I don’t understand the predilection of large public agencies for hugely costly projects rather than just tweaking the tiller.”

The Environment Agency confirmed in December 2008 it would allow the sea to reclaim Cuckmere Valley, flooding the low-lying land to create a salt marsh nature reserve.

The Cuckmere Estuary Partnership, a coalition of local councils, heritage and conservation agencies, has said it would welcome discussion of the campaign’s proposal.

Kate Cole, partnership officer, said: “If there is some new information to show how it will be done then we would certainly consider it.”

The group has been seeking planning approval to raise the banks by a small amount to keep the estuary as it is for a few years.

“We fully support any attempt to find a workable solution to the current risk of flooding to the estuary.

“We are holding a series of public events as we want to hear suggestions. This is a very emotive issue and we want to hear people’s views.”

Sea levels are forecast to rise by six millimetres a year.

It is thought that at that rate the valley would be underwater in 50 years.

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