John Whittingdale visited the Dengie Pumping Stations with the Environment Agency. The three Pumping Stations remove surface water through a network of man-made channels which is then discharged through 6 gravity out falls into the sea. This protects an area of around 55 square kilometres which is mainly high grade arable land with 46 residential properties within the flood cell. This lies behind an earthen embankment of about 24km stretching from St Peters Chapel to Burnham Wick Farm.
John discussed the future strategy for the protection of the Dengie Peninsula with Environment Agency Area Director, Simon Hawkins. John said “The risk of flooding, both from flooding and from the sea is particularly severe in the Dengie Peninsula. I am pleased that the Environment Agency have recently invested in new pumps and flooring at the Bridgewick Pumping Station and that the current flood defence strategy is working well. Although the priority is bound to be the protection of property, the land in the Dengie is of huge agricultural value and I welcome the Agency’s commitment to protect it as well”.
John is pictured with Environment Agency Area Director, Simon Hawkins, at Landwick Pumping Station in Dengie Marshes.
