Lowestoft flood defences to be tested
The test will begin from seven o'clock until 10 o'clock this evening.
Lowestoft's temporary flood barriers are to be tested later this evening in preparation for the winter season.
The test will be carried out on land between Commercial Road East and Lake Lothing, from 7pm to 10pm.
Sections of the flood barriers will be deployed by the Council’s installation contractor, the Water Management Alliance, with support from East Suffolk Services Ltd. The test is designed to practise the Council’s emergency response as they would in a real flooding incident.
The condition of the barriers will also be inspected to check for signs of wear and tear.
Cllr Mark Packard, East Suffolk’s cabinet member for Planning and Coastal Management said: “With an increased risk of flooding during the winter months, our teams carry out yearly testing to ensure both our defences and deployment teams are ready to respond in the event of a North Sea tidal surge."
“Although we can never truly practise real life conditions, the exercise is an important opportunity for our teams to trial putting up the defences to ensure they can be safely and efficiently deployed. In the event of flooding, the temporary flood barriers will work together with the permanent tidal wall defences to reduce the risk of tidal flooding to residents, homes, businesses, and infrastructure in the town.”