Moorings At Broadstone Soon?

[Afishionado]

Action urged on sea level threat

 

Studland Bay was one of the areas named as affected by erosion

Hundreds of miles of coastline could be affected by erosion over the next century and planning must start now to deal with it, the National Trust said.

Research from the Trust showed that 378 miles (605kms) of coastline could be affected by rising sea levels.

 

It said building sea defences would be "unaffordable and counter-productive" in some cases.

 

It said it would be better to adapt to coastal changes in those areas, rather than trying to stop them.

 

Erosion is a fact of life and shouldn't necessarily be viewed as a bad thing

 

Tim Collins

English Nature

Sea levels are predicted to rise by just under three feet (90cm) over the next 75 years, the report said.

 

The Trust said 126 of its sites, covering more than 4,000 hectares, were already at risk of flooding.

 

Another 33 could be affected over the coming decades, according to the Shifting Shores report.

 

It named Studland in Dorset, Porlock in Somerset and Formby Sands in Lancashire as being affected by erosion of flooding.

 

Tony Burton, the trust's director of policy, said: "Over the next few decades extensive coastal change, especially flooding and erosion caused by sea level rise and more frequent storms, appears inevitable.

 

"The UK cannot ignore the issue and all sectors must plan how to adapt to a future of advancing seas."

 

'Hold the line'

 

The report said there was currently no mechanism for people to learn if their homes or businesses were at risk of coastal erosion.

 

It said decision-making on the issue needed to be made simpler, as with 30 agencies involved in coastal management "achieving coherent and accountable solutions is difficult".

 

It said greenhouse gas emissions had to be cut to address the problem, but also recommended "moving with the forces of nature" in some areas.

 

"A universal 'hold the line' approach through ever-increasing sea defences is unaffordable and in many cases, counter-productive, creating greater problems for communities and the environment elsewhere," the report said.

 

Tim Collins, head of coastal conservation at English Nature, said it was important to recognise that erosion was not always harmful.

 

He said the Seven Sisters in Sussex would be covered in grass were it not for the effects of erosion.

 

"Erosion is a fact of life and shouldn't necessarily be viewed as a bad thing," he said.