Working together to tackle coastal change
LANCASTER City Council is working with the North West England and North Wales Coastal Group, the Environment Agency and other organisations to plan the best way to manage our changing coast, now and for future generations.
And your help is needed to make sure that the plans are realistic, suitable and achievable.
Our coastline is changing, as waves, tides, wind and storms move sand and sediment around the coast and estuaries, changing the way that the shoreline looks, works and protects our homes and towns.
Climate change will affect these processes and it is important that we take action now to prepare for the future.
To help us to deal with the consequences of a changing coast we need a long term plan to set out how our shoreline is managed.
Shoreline Management Plans (SMP) help to identify how to manage our coast over a long period of time. They analyse the social, environmental and economic effects of different management regimes and the consequences on the protection of communities and land against coastal erosion and flooding.
Coun Jon Barry, Cabinet member with responsibility for the environment at Lancaster City Council, said: “We are not able to protect all coastal homes, businesses, land and wildlife habitats from coastal erosion and flooding. But with your help, we will know where these risks are greatest and set out effective ways to manage these in a sustainable way.”
SMPs provide evidence and guidance for Local Authorities, the Environment Agency and other organisations enabling them to plan the management of their coastline and incorporate these matters within the planning regime.
Pete Fox, Environment Agency North West Flood and Coastal Risk Manager added: “It’s really important that local communities work with the Environment Agency, Local Authorities and others to produce the Shoreline Management Plans and Coastal Erosion Risk Maps. This will ensure we all get the best possible outcomes for people and the environment in the area and beyond.”
To have your say on the plans and find out more visit www.mycoastline.org
Copies of the draft plan are also available for inspection at Morecambe and Lancaster Town Halls.
Date Published: 08/12/09