Rother tidal walls east flood risk management strategy
Updated 18 February 2021
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This scheme will raise and strengthen the existing flood embankments between Scots Float and Rye Harbour on the eastern bank of the River Rother. A flood wall will also be built between the railway bridge and A259 road bridge.
The standard of flood protection will be improved to protect against a flood event with a 0.5% or 1 in 200 chance of occurring in any given year. The flood defences on the western bank of the Rother were improved in 2007.
The scheme will include enhancements to allow natural processes to continue and intertidal habitat to establish. It is also proposed to set back the existing line of the defences at Camberfields in the centre of Rye, to create 4 hectares of additional intertidal habitat. This will offset intertidal habitat losses associated with the scheme and provide compensation as required under the Habitat Regulations.
Negotiations with landowners are currently ongoing to purchase the land needed for the final part of the scheme. This will eventually create a wildlife saltmarsh habitat for local people to enjoy. This approach will offset a large amount of the carbon created as part of the scheme construction and provide important habitat for juvenile fish in the river.
Detailed design is nearing completion and subject to approval from Network Rail for our plans. The scheme cost is £12 million and subject to funding availability we plan to start construction in 2022.
Folkestone to Cliff End Strategy (FoCES)
The Rother tidal walls east flood risk management strategy forms part of the Folkestone to Cliff End Strategy (FoCES) approved by Defra in 2010. The strategy sets out our 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.