Lowestoft Tidal Barrier scheme halted amid £124m funding gap

East Suffolk Council has been forced to halt the final phase of the Lowestoft Flood Protection scheme due to a huge funding shortfall.

Flooding in Lowestoft on the night of the storm surge in 2013. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With 1.5km of tidal flood walls completed in October 2023, this first phase of works - which officially began in May 2021 and cost £28.8 million - was set to go alongside a 40-metre tidal barrier that would protect more than 1,500 homes and 800 businesses from risk of flooding.

The first phase of work - the tidal floodwalls in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

However, during the design phase for the tidal barrier, and as a result of crippling cost increases relating to materials, labour, design changes and inflation, a £124m funding gap emerged, the council said.

With the council liaising with the Government and the Environment Agency (EA) to seek the necessary additional funding needed to complete the project, a council spokesman said: "£15 million has been spent on the project to date.

Art on the glass flood walls in Lowestoft as part of the first phase of works. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"However, the project is scheduled to spend an additional £20 million from January to July 2024 and this amount cannot be covered by pledged funds, creating a £20 million risk for the council."

Waveney MP Peter Aldous. (Image: Archant)

Waveney MP Peter Aldous said: "It is to be hoped that a way forward can be found for work to resume in the near future."

A Defra spokesman said: "We have been made aware that East Suffolk Council is unable to progress with the proposed Lowestoft Tidal Barrier Project due to cost increases caused by scope changes to the project and inflationary pressures.

"We will continue working with the council and other partners to help them develop a viable and affordable proposal."

'We do not want to see that again'

Mayor of Lowestoft, Sonia Barker, said: "Clearly this is very disappointing news for the town, especially after personally seeing the harbour wall work completed.

"Hopefully, and soon, we can look forward to the project securing funding, to help Lowestoft avoid the flooding scenes like those witnessed in December 2013's storm surge.

Mayor of Lowestoft, Sonia Barker. Picture: Charlotte McGuinness - Bishy Barnabee Photography (Image: Charlotte McGuinness - Bishy Barnabee Photography)

"I recall my experience of being a councillor during the evacuation at the time and the economic and personal devastation this had on part of the town then."

Lowestoft Vision chairman, Danny Steel, said: "This is very disappointing news.

Lowestoft Vision chairman Danny Steel. (Image: Lowestoft Vision)

"I was in Lowestoft on the night of the flood in December 2013 and witnessed the damage done to businesses and homes in the town.

"We do not want to see that again. 

"Let’s hope the project is just paused and that East Suffolk Council is able to find the money to complete the work in the very near future.

"The decision will impact on inward investment in Lowestoft so the sooner the project is completed the better."

Angela Grey. (Image: Lowestoft Vision)

Lowestoft Vision BID Manager Angela Grey said: "We are extremely disappointed about the news of the funding shortfall for the tidal barrier in Lowestoft and the effect this will have on the businesses in the town centre."