The Environmental Agency recently gave a talk to Caradon about its proposed tidal defences for Looe, after having carried out a preliminary study of flooding problems in the town in 1996, when residents in the affected areas were asked to fill in questionnaires
These had revealed that the problems were a direct result of high tides when the extra water either rose up through the drains or came directly over the quay walls.
Out of two potential solutions which the Agency have so far come up with, they are favouring a tidal barrier across the river mouth from the small quay near the seafront, which the fishermen have already said will narrow the river channel making life more difficult for the movement of trawlers and other boats.
The report says the barrier would close for short periods each side of significant tidal events, and that the scheme would be likely to require the construction of a small outer harbour to provide refuge for vessels 'locked out' during periods when the gate is closed.
Listed as possible benefits of such a scheme are that the barrier may offer an opportunity for pedestrian access linking East and West Looe at the harbour entrance, that it may be used to retain water upstream and thus create a marina (requiring a full environmental assessment), that the outer harbour refuge could be used for improved tourist boat access, and that a larger outer harbour could provide a fish dock to allow fish to be landed at all states of the tide.
The Agency says that more than a 100 properties are currently at risk from flooding which occurs about approximately every 18 months, and that there are no flood defences in the town and the quay walls appear permeable, with groundwater levels behind them falling with the tide levels.
The information from the Agency is as yet only of a preliminary nature and has not been environmentally, technically or economically substantiated. Any scheme proposed for the port would need the approval of the Agency's South West Regional Flood Defence Committee, planning consent, and grant aid approval from MAFF and partnership funding.
If a suitable scheme is finally found the Agency intends to hold a public exhibition to present the potential flood defence options, but at the Looe Town Council meeting on Monday, the clerk, Mr Colin Easterbrook, was instructed to invite the Environmental Agency to give the council a presentation the same as the one they had given Caradon. Representatives from the Harbour Board, and East and West Looe Town Trusts would be invited to attend also.