HARWICH Haven Authority has responded to concerns a £90million project to expand Harwich harbour could fasten the erosion of the foreshore.

The authority announced plans to increase the depth of the harbour to 16 metres to make room for 400-metre long mega-ships last week.

It has applied to the Marine Management Organisation for consent for the scheme.

If the project is successful, it will ensure the port will continue to be able to handle the increasing number of super-sized container ships in the future.

But concerns have been raised by a resident who believes the deepening of the harbour channel will increase the flow of reverse currents with the effect of furthering the erosion of the foreshore.

They are also worried the project would impact on the possible collapse of the promenade with the repairs falling on the taxpayer.

In response to the concerns, a Harwich Haven Authority spokesman said as part of the licensing application to the Marine Management Organisation the authority has commissioned a series of studies to consider the potential impact the works might have on the local environment.

She said: “This has included a robust and rigorous assessment, using an external consultant, to look at potential effects on tidal flows, waves, sand and mud movement flood defences.

“This investigation forms part of a wide-ranging Environmental Statement, which has been submitted as part of the licensing requirements to the UK government regulator the Marine Management Organisation.

“The research, conducted by the external consultant, highlights only minimal changes to the reverse currents in the area.”

She said coastal erosion across the east of England is well documented.

“Sea levels are rising due to climate changes and there are not many areas of our coast that have not been affected,” she added.

“As a not-for-profit, designated trust port, Harwich Haven Authority is responsible for the conservancy of Harwich Harbour and the navigation channel that feeds the five port operators in the area.

“To maintain the channel, we charge vessels operators a tariff based on the amount of tonnage they ship into the haven.”

The authority does not receive Government funding, the project costs will mainly come from the tariffs it charges shipowners.

She added: “The haven is an important trade route for goods coming into the UK.

“Harwich Haven Authority is committed to ensuring that it continues to contribute to the local, regional and national economy and the improvement to the harbour will ensure it will continue to be a gateway of choice.”

The harbour was last dredged to its current depth in 2000 - nearly two decades ago.

The Marine Management Organisation opened a public consultation period on Monday which will last for 42 days.

As part of the consultation, members of the public are invited to have their say.

Further information about the project and details of how to make a comment are available on marinelicensing.marinemanagement.org.uk.

The environmental statement can be seen on hha.co.uk/operations/dredging/channel-deepening/.