Ipswich flood barrier money approved by government

The barrier would be built across the mouth of the New Cut at the centre of the picture

The government has approved £24.5m to help fund a tidal barrier to protect Ipswich from flooding.

The barrier would be built across the New Cut of the River Orwell and the Environment Agency said it would help protect 1,500 homes and 400 businesses.

The rest of the funding for the £53.6m project would come from Ipswich Borough Council, Haven Gateway and the New Anglian Local Enterprise Partnership.

Work on the barrier is due to begin in June 2014 and would take two years.

Richard Houghton, flood risk manager for the Environment Agency, said: "Over the last few years we have been working for an affordable solution to the Ipswich flood risk.

"The big risk is from a tidal surge similar to the 1953 floods.

"It's been steady progress with the completion of the Wherstead Road element and the wet dock flood gates and this is really good news that we can put the final piece of the jigsaw in place."