The Environment Agency, in consultation with partners, stakeholders and the wider community, will be developing a strategy for the Deben estuary. The strategy will consider the area between the railway bridge at Bromeswell (the upper tidal limit of the estuary) and where the estuary enters the North Sea at Felixstowe Ferry (see map).

The Deben estuary has been managed and altered by humans for many centuries. Much of the land next to the estuary has been reclaimed and now supports features of nature conservation interest and cultural heritage as well as being designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The area also supports activities such as tourism, recreation and agriculture. This reclaimed land is provided flood protection by flood embankments.

One of the Martello Towers at Felixstowe Ferry (looking east)

The Deben Estuary Strategy will set out the aims and approaches to flood and erosion risk management, taking into account this broad range of local interests and issues.