Concerns about Brede sluice and river water levels in Rye were raised by local residents during a meeting with the Environment Agency last week. Work is continuing on the sluice and repairs are underway after the eastern bank of the Brede collapsed following heavy rain a fortnight ago.
25 residents from New Winchelsea Road and Winchelsea Beach took part in the discussions with Ian Nunn, a senior manager at the Environment Agency, at the Rye Heritage Centre on Wednesday November 31. They were joined by the mayor of Rye and both Rye’s District Councillors.
Ian Nunn opened the meeting by explaining the project at the Brede Sluice, handled by contractor Mackley which delivers coastal, river and complex infrastructure across the Southeast. He emphasised that the sluice was a key part of the Rye tidal water system allowing flows to be controlled out of the River Brede, so that levels of tidal water in the Rock Channel and river levels can be best balanced.
As the sluice was an old structure in need of repair, the project had been classed as “emergency”. The up and downstream gates needed attention and improvement. The work involved the building of a temporary coffer dam upstream, retained by pilings, to allow “draining down” for access to parts of the sluice. The plan was to brace the frame and fit improved sluice gates. On the upstream side there would be integral “slot boards” to enable better control.
Difficulties had arisen. Ian explained that on the west side, an old culvert bypass had been found which required sealing. Then, south east of the sluice there was a bank slip, probably partly aggravated by recent heavy rain. Similar events have been seen above the Military Road and along the River Rother. This bank slip did not directly affect the operation of the sluice but needed urgent attention as behind it the trackway to Castle Mill cottages had fallen away. The Environment Agency had made alternative arrangements for foot access.
Against this background, the residents on New Winchelsea Road and Winchelsea Beach were particularly concerned about the impact of high river levels on gardens and infrastructure along the west bank of the river.
There was a lively debate. Over 30 questions were posed relating to the handling, design and impact of the project. Ian Nunn touched onto finance and the way that the Environment Agency allocates its constrained funds to those projects justified by business case.
Some residents questioned the amount of research, particularly on ground and soil data and flow modelling, that might have been completed before the work started. Others asked about the fitting of heavier and improved sluice gates to framing that was apparently old and partially mobile. There were questions about the bank slip, its causes and its mitigation. Some asked about the impact on local biodiversity (including nesting birds, fish and eels) and of using a temporary raft and coffer dam.
There were allegations that the stabilising infill at the toe of the bank slip had included non-biodegradable material. Most wanted to know about project timings and duration. Those with boats asked about the slipway on the west side of the river.
The subject that kept arising was the need for better communication so that locals could be reassured about the work.
At the conclusion, there had been a good airing of many issues. REACT (Rye Emergency Action Community Team), which organised the meeting, undertook to assist the Environment Agency with future communication and perhaps a follow-up meeting.
Image Credits: Anthony Kimber .