A flood defence project to protect 3,600 homes in Deal will be brought forward a year thanks to a £20 million cash boost for the Environment Agency.

The agency’s plans to begin strengthening the embankment in North Deal have been fast-tracked from 2010/11 to 2009 after the Government announced in its pre-budget report it will bring forward flood- risk funding.

Deal has been identified as a high risk flood area by the agency and about £200,000 of the cash has been provisionally set aside to bring the construction forward, enabling the design and planning process to begin early.

Risk

The news was met with joy by North Deal district councillor Charles Kirkby who used to live along the sea wall close to Sandown Castle. He said: “My response to this is absolute delight.

“It’s something we have all been working hard to achieve.

“I’m very familiar with the area and the risk of flooding between Sandown Castle and Sandwich Bay.

“It is a very good outcome for the people of Deal, especially those living in the north of the town.”

Clive Older, from the Environment Agency’s Kent flood risk management team, said the plans include upgrading the wave wall which runs through Deal and adding rock and shingle to the earth embankment at the north end up to Sandwich Bay.

Extra heaps of shingle will be piled on to the beach to absorb wave energy.

Commenting on the announcement, the Environment Agency’s chief executive, Dr Paul Leinster, said: “This is good news for a number of communities at risk of flooding, as the Government’s announcement will enable us to start some schemes more quickly.”