The Environment Agency opened a public consultation this week for the Medway Estuary and Swale Strategy (MEASS).
The Strategy will cover the Medway Estuary, Medway Towns to Stoke, Sittingbourne, Conyer, Faversham, and the Isle of Sheppey.
MEASS has reviewed the policies that were set out in the 2010 Medway and Swale Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) and the 2010 Isle of Grain and South Foreland Shoreline Management Plan (SMP). These plans conclude that a combination of Hold the Line, and Managed Realignment options should be implemented to help protect the community from coastal flooding and erosion over the next 100 years.
The Environment Agency has carried out a consultation with key stakeholders including local authorities and parish councils, ahead of upcoming landowner and public consultations.
The project team have developed leading options for each section of the strategy area. These have been based on economic, technical, and environmental appraisals.
The final strategy is currently expected to be completed in spring 2018, with official sign off in summer 2018.
• Cable terminal in BA4.7
• Natural England Coastal Path (Saxon Shore Way)
• Agricultural Land
• Sewage works at Motney Hill (BA4.2a)
• Riverside Country Park
• Industrial area at Otterham Quay
• Residential and business properties
Give them your views
Public drop-in event before Christmas
Our nearest public consultation drop-in will be at Riverside Country Park, Lower Rainham Road, Gillingham ME7 2XH on Wednesday the 6th of December between 3:00pm and 7:00pm.
Come along to meet the project team and discuss the consultation in person.
Contacts
If you would like more information on the strategy, or would like to be added to the project’s regular Email newsletter distribution list, please contact Richard Westcott or Jon Byne on: 03708 506506 or Email: meass@environment-agency.gov.uk
Links
Environment Agency - Medway Estuary and Swale strategy
Policy paper - Medway Estuary and Swale flood and coastal risk management strategy
Jon Byne