Flood Defence Scheme set to protect Poole!

Protecting Poole for the Future

Many of us remember times when high tides and stormy weather caused parts of Poole to flood. This month, work begins on a major £29.4 million project to help make sure that doesn’t happen again.

The Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill Flood Defence Scheme will create almost a mile of new flood barriers along the eastern side of Holes Bay. This will protect homes, businesses, and important roads from tidal flooding.

The work is being carried out by Knights Brown, in partnership with Southwest Flood & Coastal. When it’s finished, we’ll have a stronger, safer Poole - ready to face the future, whatever the weather may bring.

It’s a big step forward for our town, and something future generations will thank us for.

• Natural Defences:

  These include features like wetlands, floodplains, and vegetation that can absorb and slow down floodwaters. 

• Man-made Structures:

  These are engineered solutions such as:

  • Embankments and Levees: Raised earthen structures that confine floodwaters to a channel. 

  • Flood Walls: Vertical walls built to contain floodwaters. 

  • Dams and Reservoirs: Structures that store excess water and release it gradually. 

  • Coastal Defences: Sea walls, groynes, and other structures designed to protect against coastal flooding. 

  • Diversion Canals and Channels: Canals or channels that divert floodwaters away from vulnerable areas. 

  • Floodgates and Barriers: Movable barriers that can be deployed to block waterways or openings during floods. 

• Floodplain Management:

  This involves land use planning and zoning to restrict development in flood-prone areas. 

Key Considerations:

• Risk Assessment:

  Flood defence systems are designed based on the level of flood risk in a specific area. 

• Effectiveness:

  No flood defence system is 100% effective, and some level of residual risk always remains. 

• Cost and Maintenance:

  The cost of implementing and maintaining flood defences can be substantial. 

• Environmental Impact:

  It's important to consider the environmental impact of flood defence measures. 

• Climate Change:

  Climate change is altering flood patterns, requiring adaptable and resilient flood defence strategies.