Saltfleet to Gibraltar Point Strategy
The Environment Agency is working to reduce flood risk to 20,000 residential homes, 1,700 businesses, 24,500 static caravans, 35,000 hectares of farmland and a bustling tourist industry.
The Lincolnshire coastal flood plain has a long history of flooding from the sea and many forms of defence are now in place including sand dunes, seawalls, rock/timber structures and beaches.
Just over 45,000 people live within the Saltfleet to Gibraltar Point Strategy area and each year a further 2.7 million people visit the area generating almost £500 million annually for the Lincolnshire coastal economy. Our flood risk management work in this area is vital for the continued success of Lincolnshire’s coastal communities, its bustling tourism industry, and its strong agricultural sector.
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Your ideas are important for the Saltfleet to Gibraltar Point Strategy to maximise the opportunities for local communities and the environment. We have developed this page to share updates and seek your ideas and feedback for our current Beach Management campaign and the next stages of the Strategy.
Our newsfeed will be updated throughout the lifespan of the strategy so you can see how your feedback has shaped our projects.
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Video: Saltfleet to Gibraltar Point Beach management
As climate change predictions become a reality, it is crucial that we consider and plan for the effects of severe weather and sea level rise throughout our work. We regularly review our flood risk management strategies and plans to ensure we continue to provide a sustainable and affordable future for all.
By restoring beach levels lost over the year, the Environment Agency protects its engineered sea defences from the impact of waves and tides. The coastline between Mablethorpe and Skegness has benefitted from beach nourishment, the present flood risk management approach, since 1994.
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£7m beach management reduces flood risk on Lincolnshire coast
- Over 4 to 5 weeks in May 2025, around 200,000 to 500,000 cubic metres of sand will be topped up on beaches between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point.
- This reduces the risk of flooding for 20,000 homes and businesses, 24,500 static caravans and 35,000 hectares of land.
- The Environment Agency has been restoring sand levels on the Lincolnshire coast every year since 1994.
Sand will be topped up on beaches between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point to reduce the risk of flooding for Lincolnshire’s coastal communities.
Over 4 to 5 weeks, around 200,000 to 500,000 cubic metres of sand will be topped up on beaches between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point.
The work will begin on May 11 and is the second phase of works under the strategy for the coastline, which aims to better protect the environment and support the prosperity of the coast for years to come.
The Environment Agency’s annual beach management involves dredging sand from licensed seabed areas and pumping it onto beaches, replacing the sand naturally lost to the sea throughout the year. This reduces the risk of flooding for 20,000 homes and businesses, 24,500 static caravans and 35,000 hectares of land.
Replenishing the sand means that the beaches, instead of hard defences like sea walls, take the brunt of the waves’ force and energy. This reduces the amount of damage and erosion to those hard defences and lessens the risk of water overtopping them.
The Environment Agency has been restoring sand levels on the Lincolnshire coast every year since 1994. In addition to reducing flood risk, the work brings added social and economic benefits by retaining the sandy beaches for a vibrant tourism industry.
Deborah Higton, Flood Risk Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
“Our current coastal management approach of re-nourishing the beaches between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point is vital to managing tidal flood risk for Lincolnshire, as well as maintaining the county’s sandy beaches for us all to enjoy. But despite our best efforts, much of Lincolnshire is at, or below, sea level meaning flooding can still happen. That’s why we urge people to prepare and plan for the worst by signing up to receive our free flood warnings.”
The £7 million beach management work is funded as part of the Environment Agency’s capital programme. The Environment Agency is committed to delivering Government's £2.65 billion investment over the next 2 years to protect thousands of homes and business from the dangers of flooding and prevent billions of pounds worth of damages.
The Environment Agency urges people to plan ahead for flooding. They can find out if their property is in an at-risk area by signing up for free flood warnings. Further information on all these steps and more is available at GOV.UK/Flood and by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188
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Chat with our interactive AI assistant
Have you spotted our interactive AI signs across the Lincolnshire Coast? Our signs now mean you can chat with us 24/7 through our AI tool platform hosted by 'Hello Lamp Post'.
We now have 41 locations along the coast between Saltfleet and Skegness.
Start a conversation here
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Community Liason Officer
