Coastal flood risk management strategy, Pegwell Bay to Kingsdown

Reach 8: Sandwich and Stonar LoopThe Sandwich and Stonar reachcomprises the downstreamsection of the tidal River Stouras it loops through the historictown of Sandwich.Industrial activity dominatesland inside the loop, withPfizer owning the majority.The area east of the river loopis predominantly high gradeagricultural land, with largesections subject toenvironmental designationssuch as SSSI, SAC, Ramsarsite and SPA.Sandwich is rich in culturalheritage, including scheduledmonuments, listed buildingsand conservation areas.Further upstream on the rightbank Richborough Castle isalso a scheduled monument.Long-distance footpaths arelocated along the banks ofthe river.The A256 crosses the RiverStour west of Sandwich andruns through the centre of theStonar Loop to Thanet and theDeal to Canterbury railwayline runs through Sandwichand follows the westernsection of the river.Strategic optionDo nothingDo minimumSustainImprove 1Improve 2Improve 3ActionsNo further work will be undertaken on the existing defencesNo pro-active maintenance, but breaches or failures in the existing defenceswill be repaired if they occurTo continue the present standard of protection, the existing ‘on-line’ defences(such as the banks of the River Stour) will be raised to allow for projected sealevel rises. They will need raising again in 50 years to keep pace with thecontinued sea level rises‘On-line’ defences – raising defences along the River Stour to increase thestandard of protection. As under the ‘sustain’ option these defences will haveto be raised again in 50 years to keep pace with sea level risesTidal storage and ‘on-line’ defences – Construction of a tidal storage facility inthe Broad Salts area. This includes the construction of a spillway,embankments and a drainage facility. The ‘on-line’ defences will also need tobe raised, but not as much as if ‘on-line’ defences were the only protectionTidal barrier and ‘on-line’ defences – A tidal barrier would be constructed onthe River Stour near Richborough Port. The existing embankments on theeastern bank of the River Stour would be raised and strengthened andextended to the coast north of Sandwich Bay Estate. The ‘on-line’ defences willalso need to be raised, but not as much as for ‘on-line’ defences onlyAll improve options have been evaluated against economic andenvironmental criteria. Improve 2 has been selected becausethe existing level of protection is too low, and significant areasof Sandwich and all of Stonar Loop are at risk of flooding. Thetidal storage option keeps the raising of the ‘on-line’ defencesthrough Sandwich to a minimum. It also provides potential for a230 hectares wetland/nature reserve to be developed,enhancing the existing network of designated sites andproviding additional recreation opportunities. It is the leadingeconomic and environmental solution.Sandwich, Reach 814 Environment Agency Pegwell Bay to Kingsdown coastal strategy