A12 emergency flood defence work being carried out

The flood defences at the A12 Benacre sluice, near Lowestoft, are on the brink of being breached, posing a threat to 37 residential properties and agricultural land.

In response, six thousand tonnes of rock have been transported via barge to reinforce the vulnerable area.

Six thousand tonnes of rock have been brought in by barge to shore up the A12 at Benacre sluice near Lowestoft. (Image: Mick Howes)

The initiative, led by the Environment Agency, aims to fortify the region's defences until a comprehensive flood management project commences in the autumn.

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The work at Benacre sluice, near Lowestoft, is to safeguard the area until a planned flood management project in the autumn. (Image: Mick Howes)

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While the exact expenditure for the emergency measures remains pending, the Environment Agency anticipates it to amount to several million pounds.

Failure of the current flood barrier could lead to recurrent flooding of the A12 during high tides, with water depths reaching up to 4 feet (1.2 meters).

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “The Environment Agency own and operate the pumping station at Benacre that is located on the coast. 

"It discharges water draining from the land behind the frontage out to sea.

"This winter’s storms have eroded the flood defences either side of the pumping station and we are well underway in constructing rock protection works to prevent further loss of the defences.”

The bigger flood management project will involve building clay flood banks further inland.

However, the scheme currently faces a £25m funding shortfall.

If stakeholders manage to raise the funds, work is expected to begin in the autumn, with construction of the banks beginning in spring 2025.