THIS year will be a crucial one for adapting to climate change, claims Lincolnshire County Council.

The council is reassuring people living along our coastline it will be doing all it can to focus on the issues of flooding and protection.

Following months of research and public consultations, the council and its partners are now preparing a workshop at Louth on Monday, January 11.

LCC will work with the Environment Agency to enter the final phase of the shoreline management plans which look at managing floor risk over the next 20, 50 and 100 years.

The stakeholder workshop, to consider the work of the Humber Estuary Coastal Authorities Group, will take place on Monday from 1-4.30pm at Louth Town Hall.

This shoreline management plan covers the coast from Flamborough Head to Gibraltar point, and the Wash plan from Gibraltar Point to Wolferton Creek.

People will have the opportunity to find out more about the plans and give their views.

Coun Eddy Poll, executive member for economic development, said:”2009 has been a key year of research and consultation.

“2010 will now see us develop a co-ordinated programme for the future by collaborating with organisations across East Lindsey, Boston and South Holland, refining the results of breach-mapping models with the Environment Agency and, crucially, working with the people who live in the coastal zones.”

Projects will include developing better communications and warnings about flood risk, and promoting ways of making homes more flood-proof.

The Standard recently reported LCC has been named a coastal change pathfinder authority and was awarded £810,000 by the Department for Food, the Environment and Rural Affairs.

These consutations will include finding ways to spend the money most effectively.

Story by Helen Bell in the Skegness Standard