URGENT work costing around �50,000 is set to start this week to protect the low-lying area around Felixstowe Ferry from the sea this winter.

During the project, there will be some disruption to the footpaths in the area and construction traffic will be close to the public, though measures will be taken to ensure people using the riverpath are kept safe.

The scheme will only be a temporary solution to the problems affecting the mouth of the River Deben and the Environment Agency is working on a more permanent scheme, which it hopes to start early next summer, subject to full technical approval and funding.

Flood risk manager Richard Houghton said: “Our work will protect people and approximately 40 properties, including homes, boat yards, public houses and the golf course.

“It will help to ensure the continued safety of local residents and businesses, from the sea over the winter.”

The work to the sea defences will take place between the two Martello towers.

Defences to the east of the fishing hamlet consist of a shingle embankment and a rock wall which protect the village and golf course.

The flow from the Deben estuary is undermining the toe of the rock defence and has caused some subsidence.

This causes the shingle embankment to slip and erode and narrow, leaving fears that the sea could break through.

At the northern end, beach erosion has also exposed 1.5m of steel sheet piling at the toe of the concrete sea wall.

The Environment Agency is strengthening the shingle embankment with local clay on the landward side to the same height as the existing embankment, reinforcing about 50 metres to give added protection over the coming winter months.

More shingle will also be placed at the toe of the concrete wall to cover the exposed steel sheet piling.