Portable sea defences put to test

Sandwich Quay had minor floods during a tidal surge last year

Flood defences in a seaside town have been tested by the Environment Agency during a high spring tide.

The "demountable" defences, which offer temporary protection, are being used along part of the Kent coast until permanent barriers are built.

Area flood risk manager Andrew Pearce said the trial on Wednesday at Sandwich Bay was successful.

The portable flood protection measures are demountable because they can be removed after the danger has passed.

Mr Pearce said the spring tide "provided an excellent opportunity" to test defences.

He said: "The coastline is going to come under increasing pressure over the coming years from sea level rise and increased storms due to climate change."

He said the Pegwell Bay to Kingsdown Coastal Flood Risk Strategy had identified several options for managing coastal flooding and erosion, including a storage reservoir and strengthened defences.

That stretch of coastline was placed on alert last November during a North Sea tidal surge.

Sandwich Quay had minor flooding, but up to 10,000 homes were protected by coastal defences.