| Stage
1: Defining the Flood Risk and Flood Management Options |
The risk of flooding in the Blyth Estuary with
the existing defences is defined. A range of general flood management
options that can potentially be applied to any stretch of defence
to manage the flood risk are then considered. These options
are: 1. No Active Intervention, 2. Do Minimum, 3. Hold the Line,
4. Advance the Line and 5. Managed Realignment. Stage 1 was
consulted on through the ‘Blyth Estuary Strategy Options
Consultation Document’ in February 2004.
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| Stage
2: Shortlisting the Flood Management Options |
The general flood management options, and combinations
of these options, are tested using the Blyth Estuary computer
model. This model has been validated with representatives from
the Blyth Consultation Group who have detailed knowledge of
the local estuary processes. The impact of an option on the
estuary’s tidal nature, changing water levels and flows
are derived from the modelling. Options that allow us to manage
the estuary processes form a short list of options for the estuary.
Options that do not allow us to manage the estuary are unlikely
to be considered further.
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| Stage
3: Appraisal of the Shortlisted Flood Management Options |
The Shortlisted Options produced in Stage 2,
and combinations of these options, undergo more detailed technical,
economic and environmental analysis to identify a Preferred
Estuary Option or set of Options. The Government sets strict
guidelines as to how any impacts should be assessed, so that
they can be compared and prioritised in relation to other flood
management strategies and schemes being undertaken in other
parts of the UK.
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| Stage
4: Identification of the Preferred Flood Management Strategy |
| The Preferred Estuary Option(s) identified
in Stage 3 will be developed in terms of how and when it will
be implemented over the next 100 year and will undergo a final
level of technical, economic and environmental assessment to
develop the Preferred Flood Management Strategy. The Preferred
Flood Management Strategy will be the subject of further consultation. |