FIND out more about future flooding defences in Bridport and West Bay.

The Dorset Coast Forum is coordinating a drop-in session next week on behalf of the Environment Agency and West Dorset District Council. With flood risk from the sea being identified for East Beach and West Beach, work has been underway to look at what additional sea defence work could be done to make these beaches more resilient to storm damage. The work has also looked at the flood risk to properties from the River Brit, including the Parkdean defence embankment.

The event follows on from two previous session, one in March 2016 where members of the community were informed about the future flood risk and the need for additional defence to make the beaches more resilient to storm damage was explained, followed by another in October 2016 to look at the different options and get feedback from the community on the most and least preferred options. At these previous events, community members have provided valuable input and this has been used through the development process.

Project manager Nigel Bennetts, from the Environment Agency, said: “The community has played a real role in helping us with developing these schemes for West Bay.

"We now feel having listened to them and working with the consultants, we have schemes that are both supported by community and feasible for us to deliver”.

The aim of the drop-in event is to allow the community to see what has now been proposed and be able to talk to the staff on hand. The event will take place on Thursday, March 23 at The Salt House in West Bay from 11am until 7pm.

Those interested in attending the event do not need to book a place, just turn up between 11am and 7pm. If you would like more information about the event, call the Dorset Coast Forum on 01305 224833 or email dorset.coast@dorsetcc.gov.uk