Plans to build a huge flood barrier to protect Lowestoft were halted in January 2024.

East Suffolk Council was forced to halt the final phase of the Lowestoft Flood Protection scheme two years ago as costs soared and a £124m funding gap emerged in the construction of the tidal flood barrier.

The project would have seen a tidal barrier built across the channel entrance to Lake Lothing on the seaward side of the Bascule Bridge to prevent sea surges from reaching further inland.

A visualisation of the 40m tidal barrier earmarked for Lowestoft. Image: East Suffolk Council (Image: East Suffolk Council)

A 40m tidal barrier was earmarked - which would have made it potentially one of the largest floodgates in the UK - as the final phase of the town's permanent flood defences.

Flooding in Lowestoft on the night of the storm surge in December 2013. Image: Mick Howes (Image:........

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