The Broads: 'Urgent action needed' over rising sea levels

Current flood alleviation measures are "not fit for purpose", the Broads Society chairman says

Urgent action is needed to protect the The Broads from the effects of climate change, a group has said.

The Broads Society said a flood barrier was needed across the river at Great Yarmouth and suggested a network of Dutch-style drainage dykes.

It said the waterways, in Norfolk and Suffolk, needed protecting from the impact of rising sea levels.

The Environment Agency said a flood barrier was "one approach" that was being looked at.

Broads Society chairman Paul Rice said if action was not taken there would be "a major problem" in the next 10 years.

"We are expecting more floods over the Christmas period, we need to do something now, we can't wait," he said.

"If we don't do something now, we are going to lose a lot of things."

The group said the effects of rising water levels were already being felt on the Broads

The Broads Society, which was set up to secure the future of the Broads, declared a climate emergency for the river network at its recent annual general meeting.

Mr Rice said the current flood alleviation measures were "not fit for purpose".

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James May, director of Maycraft, a family-run boatyard near Potter Heigham, said his business was "flooded out every year".

Mr May said a flood barrier would be welcomed.

"The Thames doesn't flood, Holland doesn't flood, they have a barrier. Why don't we have one? A barrier at Yarmouth would be a positive step, it would help no end," he said.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "In the Great Yarmouth area we have invested over £40m to upgrade the level of protection from tidal flooding to more than 4,500 homes and businesses since 2019.

"A flood barrier at Great Yarmouth is just one approach that is being investigated by the Broadland Futures Initiative."