Coastlines



 

Winter 1999

Shoreline Management Plans, a partnership for coastal defence management
Part 1 The Regional perspective

Article by Graham Lymbery

Shoreline Management Plans are being produced around the whole coastline of England and Wales to enable coastal engineers to identify long term, sustainable policies for coastal defence. 'Coastal defence' means protecting the coastline from erosion by the sea and defending low lying ground from flooding by the sea.

Why do we need Shoreline Management Plans?
It is now recognised that our coast is a dynamic and moving shoreline. Weather, wind and tide are continually changing its shape. The Shoreline Management Plan approach builds on knowledge of the coastal environment and takes account of the wide range of public interest to avoid piecemeal attempts to protect one area at the expense of another.

How will the Shoreline Management Plans be used?

The objectives of Shoreline Management Plans are to:

  • improve our understanding of coastal processes;
  • work in partnership with all interested organisations and the public;
  • prepare a setting for the long term planning of coastal defences and associated land use.

    Shoreline Management Plans help coastal engineers plan for the foreseeable future. They draw on and take account of current local and structure plans produced by District and Borough Councils and the County Councils, and provide essential feedback at the review stages of such plans.

    Will Shoreline Management Plans protect me and my property?
    Everyone whose land or property is flooded or threatened by the sea wants to be protected. However, coastal defences are costly to build and maintain and they sometimes have damaging effects on the natural environment or an adjoining length of coastline. Shoreline Management Plans identify the places that are affected or threatened by flooding or erosion. They state the likely cost of protection work for such areas and test this against the economic value of the land or property.

    Will the Shoreline Management Plans help to prevent damage to wildlife?
    Many past decisions affecting the coastlines were made without considerations of their effects on the wider environment. Future coastal defence works will comply with the findings and recommendations of the Shoreline Management Plans and will only go ahead after careful consideration of their effects on the natural environment.

    How many Shoreline Management Plans are being produced for this coastline?
    Work is well advanced on the production of five Shoreline Management Plans between Great Orme's Head and the Solway Firth (see map). The divisions are based on the limits of natural sediment movements, rather than administrative boundaries. All five Shoreline Management Plans should be complete before the end of 1999.

    What about global warming and sea level rise?
    The Shoreline Management Plans take account of the best present knowledge on the possible effects of global warming, climate change and sea level rise. Climate study and monitoring are being given high national priority.

    How do Shoreline Management Plans fit in with coastal flooding and erosion responsibilities?
    The Environment Agency and maritime local authorities work together on the flood protection of low lying ground and defending the coastline from erosion by the sea. Both have powers to carry out sea defence works to protect low lying land against flooding by the sea. Maritime local authorities, such as Sefton Council, also have additional powers to carry out coast protection works to prevent erosion of the land by the sea.

    How can I see or comment on the Shoreline Management Plans or get further information?
    Consultation is an open process that continues throughout the plan production and beyond, into the review stage.

    We would welcome your views and comments at any time.

    A closer look at the two Shoreline Management Plans affecting the Sefton Coast will be published in the next edition of Coastlines.

    For information about Shoreline Management Plans affecting the Sefton Coast please contact;

    Graham Lymbery
    Sefton Council
    Technical Services
    Balliol House, Stanley Road, Bootle, L20 3NJ
    Tel: 0151 922 4040

    The text and map of this article has been adapted from a leaflet published by the Public Relations Department of the Environment Agency, North west Region.

    For more information on the regions shoreline management plans visit www.nwcoastline.org.uk


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