DEFENCES built to combat the threat of tidal flooding at Awre are expected to cease to function within five years, says the Environment Agency.

In a major new report on managing flood risk in the Severn estuary, the Agency highlights issues at Lydney, Awre, Newnham and Westbury. They say they intend to plan for a rise in sea level of approximately one metre over the next 100 years.

But while defences will be built up in some areas, others will be left to flood.

The report says: "The Government is committed to managing flood risk where it is sustainable and cost effective to do so. However, as sea levels continue to rise there will come a time when the cost of protecting some properties will outweigh the value of what is at risk. Alternative actions to adapt to the impacts of flood risk need to be considered."

If the plans are approved, the riverside land at Awre could be altered for all time. The Agency says that by realigning the defences up to 153 ha (over 379 acres) of mudflat and saltmarsh habitat could be created by 2030.

"We expect the defences at Awre to cease to function within five years. We hope to work with the landowners to manage a transition to saltmarsh as is occurring nearby at Brims Pill," they say.

At Lydney there is grim news for Network Rail as the Agency say that while some defences would be realigned the railway embankment would not be maintained. The railway is described as having a one in 100 chance of tidal flooding in any one year.

Between Newnham and Westbury the Agency says there is, at present, a one in 50 chance of tidal flooding in property in any year. At Newnham the proposal is to raise defences in phases to keep pace with climate change and in doing so keep the risk of flooding unchanged for around 30 properties.

Further upstream at Rodley the Agency says there is a one in 200 chance of flooding in any one year. Maintenance work would continue but after 2060 there would be phased improvements timed to keep pace with climate change. It could mean moving defences inland to make them more secure.

Continued maintenance would also be carried out at Bollow and Minsterworth with improvements planned after 2060 to ensure the flooding risk remained a one in 200 chance or less in any one year.

Information is being sent to homes and businesses in areas at highest risk telling them how to obtain more information and how to comment on the strategy. Copies of the draft plan and brochure can be found on the web link http://www.severnestuary.net/frms/publications.html">www.severnestuary.net/frms/publications.html