PLANS have been drawn up to protect a unique stretch of coastline for the future.

East Durham’s shoreline is the only one of its kind in the world thanks to its magnesium make-up and it’s because of this it has special status to protect the land, wildlife and plants.

The Environment Agency has set aside £300,000 to monitor the coast from St Abbs in the Scottish Borders to the Humber Estuary, which will result in a buoy being put in the North Sea to collect wave data, a survey of the sea bed and profiles of beaches being carried out. (more…)

CAMPAIGNERS behind a petition aimed at saving a historic promenade say they are “very disappointed” they were not allowed to call on councillors for support.

Experts say hundreds of homes on Hartlepool’s Headland, the historic Heugh Gun Battery, St Bega’s Primary School, the lighthouse and the memorial are under threat from coastal erosion within the next 100 years unless millions of pounds is spent on sea defences.

For more information about the campaign please visit http://www.heartlepool.co.uk/ (more…)

CONCERNED residents have launched a petition against coastal defence plans which could see the partial demolition of an historic promenade.

Hundreds of homes on Hartlepool’s Headland, the historic Heugh Gun Battery, St Bega’s Primary School, the lighthouse and the memorial are under threat from coastal erosion within the next 100 years unless millions of pounds is spent on sea defences.

Hartlepool Borough Council brought in Mott MacDonald consultants to examine the first lines of defence and they have put forward four options, three of which include various ways of strengthening the sea wall.

But it is the fourth – and cheapest option – to demolish the sea wall and promenade, adjacent to the Town Moor, that has angered residents. (more…)

PARTS of Hartlepool’s crumbling coastline could disappear into the sea unless millions of pounds in funding can be found to make essential repairs.

Experts have described the condition of some sections of the coastline as the worst they have ever seen, with piers, walls, footpaths and steps all under threat of collapse.

Hartlepool Council has an annual budget of £320,000 to maintain and repair breaches to coastal defences but the estimated bill to carry out the major repair work stands at a staggering £41m. (more…)