FLEETWOOD is at a similar height at sea level to an area of Norfolk deemed to be at acute risk from flooding within 50 years, says engineer Edward Greenwood.
And Mr Greenwood, a member of the campaign group Fleetwood 2008, believes the ambitious tidal barrage scheme his group is advocating would be a key way to safeguard Fleetwood against the flood risk of future rising tides.
The ambitious £200m schem
e would include the creation of a leisure boat lagoon and marina, a road through the River Wyre to Lancaster and an energy producing hydro-electric turbine system.
Mr Greenwood says the barrage scheme can still happen, despite the early setback of a breakdown in talks with potential backer, energy firm Eon.
And he is confident that its importance in coastal defence, creating sustainable energy, tackling of road congestion and even boosting tourism will come to be recognised more widely.
The area of Norfolk deemed to be at risk from future rising tides includes a 15 mile coastal stretch from Horsey to Winterton.
Environmental body Natural England have even drawn up a contingency plan which accepts that 25 square miles of Norfolk, including part of the famous Broads, would be left permanently under water.
Mr Greenwood said: "Recently Natural England revealed its considerations about the flood dangers in an area of Norfolk.
"We at Fleetwood are at a similar sea level to that part of eastern England which is seen as such as flood risk.
"But we do have geographical advantages - namely a river and estuary which would make a tidal barrage scheme possible.
"The scheme would prevent flooding because it would allow control of the tidal flow.
"Apart from the other advantages to the scheme, this factor simply must be taken into consideration by the relevant authorities - including the borough and county councils."
Mr Greenwood compared Fleetwood and the Norfolk flood plains using ordinance survey data produced by the Environment Agency.
The full article contains 329 words and appears in Fleetwood Weekly News newspaper.
