Consultants have been appointed to help secure the cash needed to tackle coastal erosion at Clacton and Holland-on-Sea.
Tendring District Council (TDC) has awarded a contract to the internationally renowned engineering and development team at Mott Macdonald.
The firm has been chosen to produce a project appraisal which will involve technical, costed solutions to resolve issues facing the coastline.
The proposals will ultimately form a business case which will be put in front of the Environment Agency (EA) in a bid to attract cash from its Flood Defence Grant In Aid Scheme.
Mott Macdonald has considerable experience in dealing with coastal erosion and has been involved with a significant project at Felixstowe.
The solutions put forward by the company will be considered by Tendring Councillors later this year before forming part of the business case to the EA.
Pam Sambridge, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Technical Services , welcomed the appointment of the consultants.
“ This is yet another step forward in the Council being able to manage both its greatest asset as well as its greatest challenge ,” she said.
“ Our wonderful coastline is the basis of our economy and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to our District every single year .
“ Restoring our beaches – as well as protecting those that remain – is a key priority for the Council .”
Peter Phipps from Mott Macdonald said that the company is delighted to have secured the contract
“ We are excited about working with TDC and have already started talking with officers ,” he added.
“ We have begun our preparatory work, have inspected the coast on a number of occasions and can already see the opportunities that exist to improve the situation .”
TDC Leader Neil Sock said that no one underestimates the magnitude of the issue and the likely costs involved which will run into many millions of pounds.
He added that £3 million of the Council’s money has been set aside towards the solution and TDC is working hard to seek funding from other sources.
“ There is a real opportunity to create a lasting legacy for residents and visitors alike and to link the Council’s key priorities of coastal protection and regeneration, ” he said.
“ We intend to do whatever we can within our power to make the very most of that opportunity .”
[mappress]
Dredging Today Staff, August 17, 2012; Image: tendringdc