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Blyth
The River Blyth estuary has been managed and altered by humans for many centuries. Much of the land next to the estuary has been reclaimed over the past 200 years. Earth banks running alongside the river channel provide flood defences to this reclaimed land. A diverse environment has developed on the reclaimed flood plain that supports features of nature conservation interest and activities such as tourism, recreation and agriculture.


Bulcamp Jetty

Existing flood defences run from Blyford Bridge to Blythburgh Bridge, and then from Tinkers Marsh to Southwold Harbour. The area upstream of Tinker’s Marsh used to be defended until around 40 years ago, when the banks failed.


The Blyth Estuary Draft Strategy is available here. 		 


Many of the remaining defences are now deteriorating in condition. The saltmarsh is eroding, and the long-term sustainability of these defences is in question. Sea levels are also rising; the effect of this will be to increase the risk of flooding and to increase the rate of defence deterioration.

Future flood defence management therefore needs to be considered very carefully to provide the most appropriate level of protection for residential properties, commercial activities and the environment. In order to do this the Environment Agency is undertaking a review of the issues affecting flood defences in the Blyth estuary in order to determine and confirm a strategy for flood management to be implemented in the coming years.


Upstream of Blythburgh bridge