Environment Agency to take ‘all required measures’ to protects Eastbourne’s seafront assets

The statement comes after a meeting between Conservative Councillor Robert Smart and the Communications Specialist at the Environment Agency, Andrew Walker, with the latter providing an update on the flood defence plans that aim to protect Eastbourne’s coast for the next century.

As part of the scheme, Mr Walker outlined how the Environment Agency will take ‘all required measures to protect Eastbourne’s seafront assets’, including the Bandstand.

According to the Environment Agency, these measures will take place starting from 2027 and will see improvements to 11 of the Eastbourne seafront groynes, with two of these particularly designed to protect the Bandstand.

Cllr Smart, who is the Conservative Opposition Leader on Eastbourne Borough Council, said: "Following the very effective ‘Save the Bandstand’ campaign led by the inspirational Gaynor Sedgwick, the essential repairs the Council undertook in 2023 to partially reopen the structure were very welcome.

“It is time that a plan is set out to the people of Eastbourne as to when we can expect the next stage of the Bandstand’s restoration and re-opening to take place."

Residents and business owners are also being asked to provide feedback on a scheme aimed to help protect 18,000 homes in the town from flooding and coastal erosion.

The Environment Agency (EA) wants to move sand and shingle which is swept from Holywell to Cooden Beach, near Bexhill as part of The Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme.

The scheme aims to increase the resilience of homes, businesses and infrastructure between Cooden Beach and Holywell to coastal flooding and erosion over the next 100 years.

The EA has estimated that some 30,000 cubic square metres of sand and shingle are swept eastwards and said the plans will protect 18,000 homes and businesses in the Eastbourne area.

The Met Office has warned of sea levels rising by at least a metre by the end of the century, so the Environment Agency is laying out proposals to defend 15 kilometres of coast either side of the Eastbourne from flooding and erosion, and wants feedback from the public.