MP visits sea defences

He was shown a structure built by the Environment Agency, as part of the Shoreham and Lancing sea defence scheme, which will avert major ecological damage at the local nature reserve during dry spells.

Widewater is a coastal lagoon, an internationally-rare habitat between South Lancing and Shoreham Beach.

It has no direct connection with the sea and its water levels are influenced by a balance of freshwater and seawater percolation.

It is the last relic of a once-common Sussex coastal habitat.

The lagoon has been heavily man-managed for many decades, but during the planning of the sea defence scheme, the Environment Agency studied the possible effects the scheme would have on the lagoon. This study indicated there was potential for the sea water input to be reduced owing to the relative distance the water needed to travel to reach the lagoon.

Following discussions with environmental partners, it was decided a pipe should be incorporated into the flood defence scheme which could be operated to manage the salinity and top up the water levels in the lagoon when required.

Soon after the pipe was completed and tested in May, various bodies voiced concern that rainwater levels in the lagoon were getting dangerously low. There was real worry that the ecology of the lagoon would be severely damaged if it dried up.

Therefore, it was decided by the Widewater Lagoon Management Group that the pipeline should be opened on a trial basis to let water flow into the lagoon during spring tides throughout summer months.

Peter Midgley, Environment Agency Sussex area manager, said: "Despite this year having been one of the driest summers on record, the pipeline exceeded expectations and managed to maintain water levels in the lagoon to one of the healthiest summer levels in memory.

"We were pleased that Mr Loughton was able to visit the lagoon and the sea defences to see for himself the protection afforded to this environmentally important area of Sussex."