There is still time for people to have their say on a scheme that would see one of the largest floodgates in the UK installed in a coastal town.

A consultation is continuing until next month - with people, businesses and visitors to Lowestoft being urged to have their say as part of a £67m project that will protect thousands of homes from flooding.

Lowestoft Journal: An artist's impression of the tidal barrier. Picture: East Suffolk CouncilAn artist's impression of the tidal barrier. Picture: East Suffolk Council (Image: East Suffolk Council)

READ MORE: 40m tidal barrier earmarked for Lowestoft's outer harbour

With construction works to reduce the risk of flooding to more than 1,500 homes and 825 businesses in Lowestoft starting in May 2021, the Lowestoft Flood Risk Management Project (FRMP) has been gathering pace.

As a tidal flood barrier is set to be built in Lowestoft's outer harbour as the final phase of the town’s permanent flood defences, people are being encouraged to find out more about the proposals.

Lowestoft Journal: An artist's impression of the tidal barrier. Picture: East Suffolk CouncilAn artist's impression of the tidal barrier. Picture: East Suffolk Council (Image: East Suffolk Council)

Installation of a 40-metre floodgate would see the tidal barrier become the second largest of its kind in the UK.

And with a public consultation continuing, two drop-in events were held last week at the East Point Pavilion, as people learnt more about the tidal barrier.

Lowestoft Journal: Coastal Partnership East Team member Laura Winter at the Tidal Barrier Consultation. Picture: Mick HowesCoastal Partnership East Team member Laura Winter at the Tidal Barrier Consultation. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

To gain permission to install the barrier and access land for its construction and future maintenance, East Suffolk Council will need to submit a Transport and Works Act Order to Defra.

And with construction of the barrier "likely to cause some short-term disruption", according to the council, the consultation continues until Monday, July 3.

A spokesman for Coastal Partnership East said: "We are very pleased with the response from the public and businesses so far and people have already taken the opportunity to have their say about the tidal barrier.

"The drop-in sessions were well attended and there is still time for people to learn more about the barrier and give their views by visiting our virtual consultation room at lfp.virtualconsultation.co.uk.

"Alternatively, hard copies of the consultation questionnaire can be obtained from East Suffolk Council’s Riverside offices on Canning Road, Lowestoft the Marina Centre and Lowestoft Library."