Dame Rebecca Harris, Member of Parliament for Castle Point, was invited recently to once again see the progress being made by the Environment Agency’s £75 million Southern Shoreline Revetment Project to renew the sea defences on Canvey Island, to protect Islanders from the risk of tidal flooding until at least 2070.

Canvey Island ground level is nearly two metres below the daily high tide level in the Thames estuary, meaning that the entire island is at risk of flooding. This scheme will directly benefit thousands of residential properties.

Dame Rebecca saw the latest phase of the works, with the areas around Thorney Bay, the Labworth Café and the Yacht Club all completed and fully accessible. The Environment Agency will continue as planned along the rest of the southern shoreline ahead of their full completion in Autumn 2025.  

She also heard how these enhanced flood defences will also improve the local ecosystems with artificial rock pools installed at the Leigh Beck side of the work, extra seed mixes for the grass and new trees planted at Fisherman’s Corner to increase the number of intertidal habitats and improve biodiversity. 

Dame Rebecca Commented:

“I am grateful to the Environment Agency for keeping me regularly updated on the progress of this major scheme and for also holding regular drop-ins for residents. This is a huge financial investment for the Island and I am very impressed with the areas that have already been completed and reassured by the clear schedule in place for the remaining sections.” 

You can find out more information on the works via the Environment Agency’s dedicated website for the project at: https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/east-anglia-c-e/canvey-southern-shoreline-project/.