THE PUBLIC are being asked for their views on the future of flood defences at West Bay.

The Environment Agency and West Dorset District Council will hold two meetings on Thursday, October 20, to hear from local residents and businesses about how the area can be better protected against flood risk.

The meetings will form the second consultation event about how defences can be improved. An event in March, at which more than 70 people attended, was held to alert the community to the future flood risk and explain the need for additional defence in order to make the beaches more resilient to storm damage.

Following that event, the Environment Agency, West Dorset District Council and consultants have looked at different options for the area and now want to present them to the community and ask for their comments and most and least preferred options for the area.

There are two identical meetings taking place which will involve a presentation of the different options, a question and answer session, an opportunity to talk to the Environment Agency, West Dorset District Council emergency planners and consultants about the options in detail and an opportunity to state preferred options.

Environment Agency project manager Nigel Bennetts, said: “It’s important to us that we get community input into this decision so we end up with an option that is both supported by community and feasible for us to deliver.”

The meetings will take place at The Salt House, West Bay. The first event will be held between 3pm and 4.30pm, with the second session from 6pm until 7.30pm.

This event is being organised by the Dorset Coast Forum, on behalf of the Environment Agency. Those interested in attending the meetings do not need to book a place. For more information about the event, please call the Dorset Coast Forum on 01305 224833or email dorset.coast@dorsetcc.gov.uk