Monument record SUT 159 - A Post Medieval sea bank on the eastern side of the River Deben, near Methersgate, Sutton

A Post Medieval sea bank is visible as an earthwork, on aerial photographs taken in 1945, on the eastern side of the Deben around Methersgate. The bank is 1.16 km in length and runs, with a few interruptions, from just south of Methersgate Quay at TM 28554632 northwards to TM 27864732. At TM 28204677 another bank runs inland from the main bank at a right angle for 47m (S1) The 1st and 2nd edition Ordnance Survey 25" maps of circa 1884 (S2) and 1904 (S3) depict a bank in this position, running from just below Methersgate Quay to TM 27954715. The less substantial stretch of bank to the north is not depicted on either map. Therefore it seems likely that the flood defences are of Post Medieval date or earlier, although there is a slim possibility that the narrow bank to the north could more recent. (S4)