We’ve invested £4.7million to protect our vital infrastructure from the eroding Suffolk coastline.​

You can view where this work took place here.

Works as part of a year-long pipeline relocation scheme in Lowestoft have finished. With a £4.7 million investment to protect our vital infrastructure from a rapidly eroding coastline, the scheme saw three new sewer pipes installed and relocated further inland.

This work was carried out in north Lowestoft as the pipelines that now run through Gunton Warren Nature Reserve were at risk on the beach.

 

Our region, which covers the East of England, is the driest and flattest part of the country.  Meaning the effects of climate change, including extreme weather events, are already being keenly felt here. In Lowestoft, increasingly common storms and extreme weather are causing the beach at the Gunton Warren Nature Reserve to wear away.

 

There were three critical sewer pipes running through Gunton Warren Nature Reserve, which were at risk because of the erosion. One of the pipes carried all of Lowestoft’s wastewater to the water recycling centre to be treated, while a second pipe carried the cleaned water away from the WRC to the outfall in the sea. The third pipe took the wastewater away from the nearby pumping station for treatment.

 

This scheme, which began in January 2022 and finished in December, has seen this vital infrastructure moved inland to protect the town’s sewer network.  Meaning customers in Lowestoft can continue to flush their toilets without a second thought.

 

North Beach car park

Throughout the project, the North Beach Car Park remained closed to the public. Our temporary site compound was erected here, giving us easy access to our pipes and ability to makes connections to them.

 

After finishing the work, the car park has now been reopened to the public. Our reinstatement promise is that we'll put any area we have physically worked in, back to its original condition, if not better. We've worked closely with Lowestoft Town Council, and they have agreed we've met this promise.

 

As there was no existing drainage in the area prior to our work starting, water puddling was a pre-existing issue. We've laid additional material in specific areas in an extra effort to prevent this happening. However, the landscape in this area is prone to puddling and is likely to continue to do so.

 

In collaboration with Lowestoft Town Council, we identified the need to provide better access to the sea front from Links Road car park. Therefore, we’ve created an accessible pathway from Links Road car park to the seafront.  Significantly benefitting the community by improving access particularly for wheelchair users.

 

Our five-year reinstatement plan

Along the way we’ve worked closely with ecologists, arboriculturists and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust (SWT) to support habitats and wildlife found on the reserve. But we want to go even further.

 

We’ve created a five-year plan which aims to increase local biodiversity.  Ensuring a flourishing environment for nature and people to enjoy.

 

This plan will be carried out by Ground Control. It includes replanting 20 large tree species, along with around 300 smaller tree and shrub species suitable for sandy soils.  Just some of the ways we’re helping flora and fauna continue to thrive. Creating vital habitats for pollinators.

 

As part of the five-year plan, SWT will plant heather seeds, providing nectar for pollinating insects like bees and butterflies. Their experts want to ensure the seed has the best chance to establish and germinate.  Due to increased dry weather conditions during 2022 the replanting of heather is now planned to take place in October/November 2023.

These areas will be protected after the replanting takes place to shield the seedlings in their early stages of life. Do not worry, footpaths around the area will not be affected by this work.

 

Experts will source local seeds.  They will be cut from other places along the Suffolk Coast,  giving the heather a better chance to establish, cut transportation needs and reduce our co2 impact on the environment.

 

Once the heather seed is set, the plant moves into the Pioneer Phase. This lasts approximately five years from seedling development until the plant has developed into a fully formed bush. In this time, SWT will monitor and maintain growth, as well as, continuing to remove any competitive species of plant.

 

Frequently asked questions

Why was this work so important?

If we didn't do this work, we expected that the pipes would be exposed by coastal erosion within two or three years.  A bad winter in 2022/23 could have accelerated this even sooner. If these pipes were exposed, not only would this put our customers at risk, it would also risk spilling sewage into the North Sea.  Causing a potentially catastrophic pollution event. Our customers and the environment are equally important to us, which is why we acted fast.

We worked closely with ecologists, arboriculturists and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust to ensure that the work had minimal impact on the environment and ecology found in the reserve. This includes a five-year plan to reinstate the area following completion of our work.  Resulting in a biodiversity net gain of 10% - enhancing the habitat to create a more flourishing space than it was before.

 

Now we've relocated our vital infrastructure, we'll replant 20 large tree species.  Along with approximately 300 smaller tree and scrub species suitable for sandy soils. This mix will offer better structural diversity and to create a more ecologically valuable woodland. 

The current erosion forecast report gives up to 40 years design life.  However due to the unpredictable and ever changing nature of the beach it could be longer or shorter than this. This is the best estimate at the time of the study, as undertaken by Jacobs commissioned on behalf of East Suffolk Council Costal Management Team.

You can give us feedback on how we are doing here.

 

If you have any queries about the work, you can email onealliancecustomers@anglianwater.co.uk. Alternatively, you can contact our 24/7 customer services on 03457 145 145.