THE THREAT

The threat from flood catastrophe

is just a bad storm away.

  • Economic

    There are nearly 500 properties at risk of flooding within the Alde and Ore estuary. It is also where many businesses operate. Local leisure and tourism dependent on the estuary make a huge contribution to the local economy. The area includes farmland that produces high value crops which are an important source of food for the nation.

  • Environmental

    Melting of the Arctic sea ice is causing “isostatic rebalancing” of the tectonic plate on which Britain sits. This means that our part of the coast is sinking, as well as being subject to rising sea levels. So not only people but habitats of internationally important species of wildlife face devastation from a catastrophic storm surge.

  • Health and Well-being

    We are all aware of the physical well-being that comes from our access to beautiful outdoor areas like this. And we are increasingly aware of the mental uplift that comes from even modest exercise. People from across the nation enjoy its walks, wildlife and the leisure activities it offers.

  • Enjoyment

    The tidal flood defences are 44km long and provide access to over 100km of public footpaths. They are a resource for the public to enjoy walking, bird watching and the unique vistas the estuary provides. Activities like sailing and golf depend on the preservation of this space, as does the internationally renowned concert hall at Snape Maltings.

FLOOD RISK AREAS

  • The properties around the estuary at risk if all existing walls fail include over 750 residential homes and nearly 300 non residential structures.

  • 3335 hectares of arable tidal floodplain and freshwater grazing marshes in the estuary are at risk of flood.

  • Freshwater aquifers irrigate over 2630 hectares of farmland producing high value crops of national importance.

  • Businesses in the area vary from boat building to tourism and from fishing to farming. Leisure and tourism alone generate over £100m per annum.

  • See the Climate Change Committee’s independent report on increased flood risk here.

  • The attached map is an illustration from a computer modeled image by HR Wallingford in part for the Water Management Board. There are three maps based on sophisticated models to forecast flood events under a 20, 75 and 200 year surge. To see these maps in detail, click here.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Many designated areas of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are contained within the estuary, including a Ramsar site (a wetland of international importance). In addition, estuarine wetlands are a hugely important contributor to carbon storage. We now know these are on a par with rainforests in their ability to capture and store carbon from the atmosphere.

The full description of the Alde and Ore estuary Ramsar site is included here.

WILDLIFE AT RISK

On the freshwater side of the river there are important habitats for species like water voles and eels. Eels in particular are threatened and in decline. The Ramsar site on the saltmarsh side of the flood walls hosts an important population of wading birds like black and bar tailed godwits, avocets and many more.

Click here to see Natural England’s assessment of the importance of the habitat of the Alde and Ore estuary.

The Estuary managed landscape is of national and international importance. It forms part of the East Atlantic Flyway (which the RSPB believes should be a UNESCO World Heritage site,) and provides essential food, roosting and nesting ground for significant populations of birds from over 155 species. Click here for the RSPB report.

DAMAGE TO INFRASTRUCTURE

Not only the areas in flood defence risk zones will suffer in the event of a major flood, but the infrastructure damage to roads, schools and vitally important pumping stations will affect everyone living in all the communities on this part of the Suffolk coast.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Public Health England issued a report in March 2020 (The English National Study of Flooding and Health) which demonstrated the evidence of the destructive effect of flooding as well as the threat of flooding on the collective mental health of entire communities. It is important to acknowledge both the mental uplift available from access to this unique environment, but also the destructive threat that exists behind a flood, just a bad storm away. Click here to read the report.

We are lucky to have this estuary close to us. It is home to an amazing diverse and unique habitat for all forms of wildlife and plants. We owe it to them to preserve it.