Flood defence project underway in Great Yarmouth

A £40m project to upgrade vital flood defences in Great Yarmouth is underway.The work, which is expected to complete next year, will upgrade the level of protection from tidal flooding to more than 4,500 homes and businesses in the local area. The refurbishment works will extend the working life of the existing defences, and the new innovative construction methods being used will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the project.Environment minster Rebecca Pow and Environment Agency chair Emma Howard Boyd joined local partners to mark the start of work on this major scheme which will see thousands of homes and businesses better protected from tidal flooding for decades to come.The £40.3m investment, plus £6.2m for ongoing maintenance, has come from a range of sources including £32.4m provided by central government.Partnership contributions have come from New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, £8.2m through the Growth Deal programme, and £2.8m from the Anglian Eastern Regional Flood & Coastal Committee.Norfolk County Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Council have also contributed towards the project and local quayside businesses are supporting through contributions and the provision of compound space.