A trial deployment of temporary flood barriers that are used to reduce the risk of tidal flooding in Lowestoft will be tested this week in preparation for the winter season.
Testing of temporary flood barriers will be carried out on Thursday 17 September on land between Commercial Road East and Lake Lothing, from 7pm to 10pm.
The Council’s installation contractor, the Water Management Alliance, with support from East Suffolk Services Ltd, will deploy sections of the temporary flood barriers to practise the Council’s emergency response as they would in a real flooding incident. The session will also allow teams to check the condition of the barriers, inspecting them for any signs of wear and tear since last year’s deployment exercise.
Cllr Mark Packard, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Planning and Coastal Management said: “With an increased risk of flooding during the winter months, our teams carry out yearly testing to ensure both our defences and deployment teams are ready to respond in the event of a North Sea tidal surge.
“Although we can never truly practise real life conditions, the exercise is an important opportunity for our teams to trial putting up the defences to ensure they can be safely and efficiently deployed. In the event of flooding, the temporary flood barriers will work together with the permanent tidal wall defences to reduce the risk of tidal flooding to residents, homes, businesses, and infrastructure in the town.”