The Environment Agency, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and Emma Hardy MP are pleased to announce the completion of the £12 million Cockett Wick seawall improvement scheme, which now provides enhanced protection against tidal flooding for 3,000 homes and businesses in Jaywick.
The project involved the installation of 14,000 tonnes of Norwegian granite, 150 steel piles, and 330 meters of reinforced concrete footpath and seawall. This initiative is a significant component of the Essex and South Suffolk shoreline management plan, aimed at bolstering the long-term viability of coastal communities. The improved seawall will not only provide flood resilience but also support the future growth and regeneration of seaside towns.
The new seawall is designed with an adaptive approach to address the challenges posed by climate change, including future sea-level rise. The structure allows for further enhancements in 50 years’ time, ensuring long-term protection.
Sustainability was a key focus throughout the project, with significant carbon savings achieved through innovative practices. The design was modified to incorporate 152 recycled steel tube piles instead of new steel sheet piles, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 1,000 tonnes. Additionally, the Environment Agency opted to transport the revetment rock by barge, eliminating the need for 700 flatbed lorry loads and saving 48 tonnes of carbon. Surplus rock, totaling 1,200 tonnes, was also used in local projects to protect seawalls from erosion.
Community engagement was a priority during the construction phase. Environment Agency staff and contractors participated in local activities, including school demonstrations, providing work experience opportunities, raising funds for charity, and hosting regular drop-in sessions for residents.
John Lindsay, Essex Coastal Engineer for the Environment Agency, expressed his satisfaction with the completed project, stating, “We’re delighted that the Cockett Wick seawall improvements scheme is now finished. The work will make a real difference in providing long-term flood protection for the local community, safeguarding homes and businesses, and supporting the future growth, investment, and regeneration of Jaywick. We would like to thank the local community for their patience, support, and cooperation during the completion of the works.”
Robert Harvey, Project Manager for BAM Nuttall, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the project, saying, “We are delighted to have worked collaboratively with the Environment Agency and Jacobs on the Cockett Wick project, delivering a successful flood defense scheme that benefits generations to come, with sustainability, innovation, and the local community at its core.”
Louise Oldfield-Trim, Project Manager for Jacobs, emphasized the importance of collaboration, adding, “A key factor in the project’s success was the full commitment to collaboration by the entire team, including the Environment Agency, BAM, and Jacobs. By prioritizing sustainability, we developed an innovative scheme that achieved substantial carbon efficiencies, ensuring smooth and cost-effective delivery.”
Floods Minister Emma Hardy MP remarked on the importance of the project, stating, “The completion of the Cockett Wick seawall improvement project ensures thousands of homes and businesses in one of the most vulnerable areas of the country are better protected from the growing threat of tidal flooding. Protecting communities across the country, including those on the Essex coast, is a core priority. The Government will continue to support flood resilience efforts, including launching a flood resilience taskforce to accelerate the delivery of flood defenses, drainage systems, and natural flood management schemes.
