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Sir Richard Branson at Dungeness

DOC was presented with an excellent opportunity to fly its flag during a recent visit by Richard Branson to Dungeness when he attempted to kite-surf across the Channel.  Crowds of people watched the event which unfortunately had to be finally abandoned  due to adverse weather conditions but the mood  remained upbeat and cheerful. Read more »

l.t.r. David Oliver (DOC Vice Chairman) Lt.Col. Duthoit (Deputy Camp Commander), B.Bass (DOC)

DOC was afforded a rare opportunity to receive a guided tour of the Lydd Ranges and its extensive facilities. It enabled us to experience at first hand the very important role played by the MOD within our local area and re-emphasised the need to ensure that improvements to our sea defences are of the utmost importance. Not only are the Ranges vital on a national level to continue facilitating the training of our troops prior to their deployment abroad, but by their very nature the Ranges also provide much needed local employment to the Marsh, thus contributing heavily to our local economy.

With the risk of coastal flooding ever increasing and improvements to sea defences for the Lydd Ranges not scheduled for completion until 2020, the present inadequate standard of sea defences along the Lydd Ranges represents not only a potential danger to the Marsh itself, but also to its communities.

DOC is committed to lobby all relevant Government Agencies in order to expedite and achieve adequate sea defences for the whole of the Marsh. Our thanks go to Lt. Col. Duthoit (Deputy Commander/Lydd Camp) for the excellent and very informative tour.

DOC is delighted to report that the two newly elected Members  of Parliament , Amber Rudd  MP ( Hastings & Rye) & Damian Collins MP, ( Folkestone & Hythe) - responsible for both constituencies across East Sussex as well as  Kent  covering the Marsh - attended a briefing meeting arranged by DOC at the Guild Hall in Lydd.

DOC had an  excellent opportunity  during the meeting to emphasise the importance of completing much urgently needed improvements to our  sea defences  here on the Marsh in order to safeguard local communities from flooding  and we are extremely  grateful and  encouraged by the  commitment  displayed  by both MPs. Follow-up meetings have been scheduled to take place in the near future.

A plan to create a £50m public coastal access path around England has been scaled back due to funding cuts with Kent being one of the five pilot areas affected. Natural England, who was tasked with creating the trail,  had to re-assess its plans as a result of a 5% reduction in its budget for this year and needed to assess the scope and delivery of some  of its in-year programmes. A spokesperson for NE stated that “the availability of funding for a wider roll-out of coastal access schemes will become clearer following the Comprehensive Spending Review process, expected to be completed this Autumn”.

Lydd Ranges 16.7.2010

The potential flood threat to the Marsh is not only a Winter occurrence! During the last 24 hours massive amounts of shingle have been eroded at the Lydd Ranges and Jury’s Gap Lookout due to high winds coupled with high tides. This has yet again left a ‘cliff face’ at the edge of the erosion . Given that the present standard of flood defence is already very low in this location immediate action needs to  be taken now  to remedy this before the whole situation becomes even more critical for the Marsh!

Works for the sea defence scheme in this location are running to schedule and the pre-cast revetment units are continuing to be laid. A total of 1350 out of the required 1662 units have been placed and it is anticipated that the revetment placing will be completed during August 2010. The concrete paving for the lower promenade at High Knocke has also been completed. For a more detailed progress report please see the latest newsletter issued or contact Public Liaison Officer Veronica Wells (07931 450359) / email dymchurch@environment-agency.co.uk

Once completed this phase of sea defence will reduce the risk of flooding for nearly two and a half thousand homes in Dymchurch but will also  form an important link in the  much needed overall sea defence  improvement schemes proposed for the  Marsh.

The Environment Agency has warned that people will have to pay more towards flood defences in their area. Despite being funded by the taxpayer to the tune of 629m overall, only a small proportion of this amount is actually spent on coastal defences with the bulk of  funding directed towards fluvial flood prevention. Environment Agency Chief Executive Paul Leinster stated that whilst continuing Government investment was important to manage the risk of flooding, his agency  must now also look at alternative funding streams, including increased contributions from those who will benefit from future defence schemes.

The  Environment Agency has stated that communities at risk from flooding due to potential sea level rises (believed to be caused by climate change) will need to be protected and this  could  affect many coastal areas (see map).  It remains to be seen how the Environment Agency intends to  solve this situation.

Site Meeting at Dungeness

DOC  arranged  a site meeting  with key stakeholders at two crucial locations on the Marsh, i.e. Dungeness and Galloways,  which took place this afternoon.  The purpose of this site visit was to  demonstrate to Government Agencies the need for urgency to address the issue of much needed interim coastal protection measures until the entire proposed sea defence scheme for  Romney Marsh can be successfully implemented.

DOC has now submitted its response to the Environment Agency on the Scoping Consultation Report for the Broomhill Sands Sea Defence Scheme.  DOC fully supports this scheme as part of the network of schemes along the whole frontage of our coastline that will, when completed, give the Romney Marsh a 1-in-200 year standard of sea defence. Please click here to read the entire document.

Public Exhibition 21.5.2010-Camber

On the 21 May 2010 a public exhibition was held by the Environment Agency in Camber. Members from the local community were able to scrutinise the detailed proposals for the Broomhill Sea Defence scheme and staff from the EA as well as DOC were on hand to answer any queries by members of the public. Rother District Councillor Nick Ramus was also in attendance.

The consultation period for the Broomhill Sea Defence Scheme is now nearing its end and there is not much time left to leave your feedback/comments.  All responses must be received by the Environment Agency  latest by 17 June 2010. You can still view the scheme design posters at the Camber Castle Public House, Lydd Road, Camber and /or directly on the Environment Agency’s website. Please don’t miss the opportunity to have your say and express your opinion .