Coastal flood risk management strategy, Pegwell Bay to Kingsdown

Reach 9: Stour ValleyAlong the River Stour floodprotection is predominantlyprovided by earthembankments, apart from thefrontage immediately north ofRichborough Castle whereground levels provideadequate protection againsttidal flooding.The land on both banks isconsidered to be good to verygood grade agricultural land.Flooding in this reach isdominated by fluvial processes.Therefore the long-termstrategic management of thisarea will be determined in theforthcoming Lower Stour Riverstrategy. The option identifiedin this Pegwell Bay toFlooding 2001Kingsdown coastal strategy isa ‘holding’ option untilcompletion and adoption ofthe Lower Stour River strategy.The preferred policy from theCatchment Flood ManagementPlan (CFMP) for this reach isto ‘Take action to increasefrequency of flooding to bringbenefits elsewhere’.Strategic optionDo nothingDo minimumActionsNo further work will be undertaken on the existing defencesThe condition of the existing defences would be monitored and any damagerepaired on a reactive basisDo minimum has been selected as a holding option until completion of the Lower Stour Riverstrategy. It is anticipated that managed realignment will be the preferred option in this reach toreduce flood risk to Canterbury. The viability and extent of this managed realignment will bedetermined by the Lower Stour River Strategy.16 Environment Agency Pegwell Bay to Kingsdown coastal strategy