A flood defence scheme to protect almost 2,000 homes has received a major funding boost.

The £40 million project at Lydd Ranges on Romney Marsh is one of 200 schemes being invested in by the government and the Environment Agency.

The network of new groynes, rock walls and shingle banking along 3.2km (two miles) of the beach between Camber and Dungeness will also protect the military firing ranges.

It comes as part of a £176.5m investment announced for the south east for 2021/22.

Work is under way on the Lydd Ranges scheme will also provide greater protection for the 14,500 properties on the Romney Marsh and agricultural land, roads and infrastructure at risk from coastal flooding.

It will consist of 34 new timber groynes, 320,000 cubic metres of shingle beach recharge, a new rock revetment, improvements to the existing 'Green Wall' track and relocation of an existing outfall at Denge.

The overall scheme is set to be in place for the next 25 years.

In the next six years, the government says it will spend £5.2bn on flood defences and it comes after countries in Europe and China suffered severe and devastating floods in recent weeks.

The government says by the end of its current defence plan in 2027, more than 336,000 homes will be better protected and reduce flood risk in the UK by 11%.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “The tragic recent events in Germany and Belgium serve as a sobering reminder of how devastating flooding can be.

“We are standing by communities and will bolster defences against flooding across England with many thousands more properties better protected by 2027.

“It’s important we take action right across the system. Our comprehensive plan will achieve this by tightening planning procedures, helping more people access insurance and making homes more resilient to the effects of flooding.”

“It’s important we take action right across the system..."

Emma Howard Boyd, chairman of the Environment Agency, said: "We have seen some devastating flooding around the world so far this summer. No one can prevent all flooding and climate change means the risk is increasing, but we can reduce the risks.

"These schemes should provide reassurance to communities and businesses, but no one should have a false sense of security. I strongly urge people to sign up for flood warnings and regularly check flood risk on gov.uk."

A total of £70.5m will be spent on schemes in Kent, the South East and London including another major project from Eastbourne to Pevensey Bay in East Sussex which will protect 10,000 homes, the A27 and railway line.

Find out more about the Lydd Ranges flood defence scheme on the government website.

To read about the Armed Forces and how they have served Kent and beyond, click here.

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