Reviewed the Estuary Plan, previous studies and the latest information from the Environment Agency, including data on ground levels, flood defence condition and water levels across the estuary.
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PROJECTS
Alde & Ore Estuary Maintenance Programme
Services
Civil Engineering
Location
Alde & Ore Estuary
Partners
Alde & Ore Estuary Trust
Alde & Ore Community Partnership
Environment Agency
Start & Completion
2026 ongoing
Planned completion 2031-32
Sustaining flood defences across the estuary
The Alde & Ore Estuary is protected by a network of embankments that help reduce the risk of flooding to homes, businesses, farmland, infrastructure and important habitats. These defences are under increasing pressure from rising sea levels, more frequent storm events and the natural ageing of the embankments.
The Alde & Ore Estuary Plan sets out a long-term approach to managing flood risk. While we continue to work towards delivering the full programme of improvements, we are now launching a coordinated five-year maintenance programme to help sustain the existing flood defences across the entire estuary.
East Suffolk Water Management Board, the Alde & Ore Estuary Trust, the Alde & Ore Community Partnership and the Environment Agency have partnered to deliver a systematic rolling programme helping to improve the resilience of the estuary’s flood defences year on year. The partnership are committed to invest at least £500,000 each year over the next five years.
Why we’re taking this approach
Our original plan was to begin raising embankments in the Upper Estuary before progressing to the Lower Estuary as additional funding became available. However, updated flood modelling showed that carrying out works in only part of the estuary could unintentionally increase flood risk elsewhere. As a result, permission for that approach was not granted.
Rather than delay work while funding for the full capital programme is secured, we have reviewed alternative options that allow us to begin protecting the estuary now.
The new maintenance programme focuses on sustaining flood defences across all flood cells in the estuary, maintaining the current level of flood protection while longer-term improvement and adaptation options continue to be developed. This approach aligns with the Estuary Plan and can be delivered more quickly, with minimal additional permissions required.
The updated modelling also confirmed that proposed works at Snape Maltings (Flood Cell 06) would not increase flood risk elsewhere. Britten Pears Arts Ltd is therefore progressing privately funded works within this flood cell.
Benefits of the maintenance programme
The five-year maintenance programme will help preserve the estuary’s existing flood defences while creating opportunities to strengthen their resilience over time.
The programme will:
- Maintain the current standard of flood protection across the whole estuary.
- Prevent further deterioration of embankments and reduce the likelihood of breaches.
- Deliver targeted repairs, including raising low spots, repairing revetments, replacing damaged blockwork and improving flood defence assets.
- Prioritise maintenance and improvement works that provide the greatest benefits for local communities, businesses and the natural environment.
- Provide greater certainty through a coordinated, long-term programme of works, allowing projects to be delivered more efficiently.
- Buy valuable time while funding is secured for the wider programme of capital improvements identified in the Estuary Plan.
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Project Milestone Timeline 2026-2027
May 26
Jun 26
Developed and tested methods for identifying maintenance needs across the whole estuary using available data. Carried out site visits and inspections throughout the estuary, including GPS surveys and photographs, to verify and improve the accuracy of project data.
Jul 26
Detailed investigations around the Estuary undertaken. Provided support to the Environment Agency to help identify urgent maintenance priorities and requests for funding. Work also continues to refine the assessment methods being used across the project.
Aug 26
Develop and test methods for assessing the condition and reliability of flood defence assets, alongside quantifying the potential impacts of flooding. This will create an initial “long-list” of possible maintenance and improvement activities across the estuary.
Sep/Dec
Carry out targeted site surveys to confirm maintenance requirements. Develop and test methods for assessing the costs and benefits of different interventions. Prioritise activities from the “long-list” to produce a recommended programme of works for the current five-year management period, involving the opportunity for discussions with the estuary community through the AOCP.
Dec/Apr
Completing planning activities such as securing any consents or licences required, design works, access arrangements and enabling works.
Apr 27
Works are planned to commence across the Estuary.
Project Links & PDF Newsletters
July 2026 - Newsletter
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The Alde & Ore Estuary Trust Website
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