Extra time has been granted for designers to draw up art pieces for a £58 million flood defence project in Ipswich.

Artists have been given an extension to develop two proposals for the Environment Agency's (EA) Ipswich Flood Barrier site.

Construction work on the scheme is already well underway and completion is scheduled for 2018. The next major phase of the project will be the arrival of the tidal gates from Holland in the summer.

Overall, the project aims to reduce the risk of flooding to 1,608 homes and 422 businesses and support key infrastructure.

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As part of the development, bespoke art creations will be installed at two locations; across the three doors of the barrier's control building, and within a circular space on the West Bank of the New Cut.

The successful designs will have a maritime and/or Ipswich theme as well as being sufficiently durable with a 25-year life span and must be able to withstand any potential vandalism.

The deadline for submissions is 28 July, with the commissioned artwork set to be installed by early next year.

EA project manager Andrew Usborne said: "We want this art work to be a visual representation of Ipswich's maritime past and also to mark the creation of this new vital infrastructure for the town.

"These 2 commissions will provide a lasting legacy for the town's most important flood defence scheme in recent history."

(LM)