20-year plan proposed to combat Suffolk water issues

Suffolk may be threatened by rising sea levels in coming years, it has been suggested.

Coastal management and flood defence are the most important issues for local communities highlighted in a report by the environment chiefs responsible for Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB), eadt.co.uk reports.

Critical issues pertaining to possible climate change-related sea level rises are seen to be flood risk, threats to farming, biodiversity and water supplies, according to David Wood, chair of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths partnership.

In this light a proposal is to be put forward establishing a 20-year vision for conservation of the area that will necessitate a partnership of local businesses, environmental groups and community organisations.

"These organisations share our aspirations for the long-term conservation of the area and are key members of the partnership of organisations that have agreed to implement the Management Plan," Mr Wood claimed.

The east of England was recently pinpointed as one of the regions that does not have enough flood risk management by the Chief Fire Officers’ Association.