East Suffolk Council
Lowestoft Tidal Barrier Transport and Works Act Order application
East Suffolk Council has applied for a legal authorisation order required to progress the Lowestoft Tidal Barrier project.
Proposals for a new tidal barrier were developed by the Council as part of the wider Lowestoft Flood Protection scheme to help reduce the risk of tidal flooding to homes and businesses in Lowestoft.
The proposal comprises twin mitre gates across the inner harbour entrance channel to Lake Lothing, on the seaward side of the Bascule Bridge, as well as new demountable tidal defences connecting to the new tidal barrier, new operational buildings and ancillary works.
The proposed tidal barrier will work in conjunction with new tidal flood walls built in key locations in Lowestoft.
East Suffolk Council has now applied to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) to obtain the required legal powers to build the scheme, including the ability to close the navigable channel during construction and operation of the barrier.
Cllr Kay Yule, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Planning and Coastal Management, said:
“The Lowestoft Tidal Barrier is a major project and requires a number of key permissions to go ahead, including a TWAO from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).
“Any interested people are invited to have their say on this important part of the planning process before the Secretary of State makes a decision.”
View copies of the application documents.
Digital copies will also be available to view at East Suffolk Council’s Riverside offices, in Lowestoft, from 8am to 5pm on weekdays, at the Marina Centre, Lowestoft, from 10am to 4pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and during normal opening hours at Lowestoft Library.
Comments, objections and other representations about the proposals in the TWAO application can be made until Thursday 23 November 2023 and should be sent to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, c/o Floods Casework Team, Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Team, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Seacole Block, Ground Floor, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF or FloodsCasework@defra.gov.uk.
The most recent phase of public consultation on the Lowestoft Tidal Barrier project was carried out between 5 June and 3 July this year, enabling people to learn more about the barrier, its construction, operation and maintenance, and any potential environmental and navigational impacts.