THE management of the tidal flood risk on sections of the Severn estuary have been the subject of a series widespread public consultations which have taken place over the past 18 months. Now, in a final stage, the discussions that took place between the communities and stakeholders and the government departments who are preparing the Severn Estuary Flood Risk Management Strategy are set to hold final consultations with local people around the area.

The basis for the consultations will be the documents that have been generated while the agencies have been engaging with the public over the structure of the strategy.

The 'community drop-in sessions', as the local consultations are known, will take place at four venues around the area: Taurus Crafts, The Old Park, Lydney on Saturday June 8 between 11am and 2pm; The Anchor Pub in Epney on Wednesday June 19 between 5pm and 8pm; Saul Village Hall on Saturday June 22 between 11am and 2pm and finally Westbury Village Hall on Wednesday June 26 between 5pm and 8pm.

The Severn Estuary Flood Risk Management Strategy was first presented by the Environment Agency in 2011, but, in the intervening two years, certain developments have occurred.

Richard Cresswell, the environment agency's south west director said: "Several factors have changed since 2011 and this is reflected in the revised strategy documents. We have taken into account updated climate change advice from government. This has meant that a reduced amount of sea level rise is being planned for."

The original strategy raised concerns in 2011 about the proposals for the management of flood defences to allow for inter-tidal habitat, which they have now agreed 'are only taken forward with the agreement of land and property owners and with input from the community.'

The proposals include the creation of 38 hectares of salt marsh on the estuary side of the railway line between Aylburton Warth and Guscar Rocks, south west of Lydney.