About the project
The goal of Blue Heart is to try out innovative ways to predict and mitigate the impact of flooding in Eastbourne and southern Wealden. This will benefit local people, businesses and the environment. What we learn will also help inform projects around the UK and beyond.
We are:
- Investigating how rain, rivers, groundwater and waste water move through Eastbourne and south Wealden.
- Learning how different types of water relate to each other and the environment, and how this may affect flooding.
- Using smart technology to monitor water in real time. We’ll issue flood warnings and automatically control water levels to protect drainage.
- Working with agencies and organisations who manage water to share information, collaborate and plan.
- Talking with local people with a personal connection to local green and blue spaces – for leisure activities, wellbeing, growing or interest in wildlife – to understand the impact of changing water levels on these environments.
- Listening to communities and special interest groups about their hopes and concerns for the future. This may include people who have experienced flooding already.
We are funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate. Our funding runs until spring 2027.
