WALNEY residents whose homes are at risk of being washed into the sea have been snubbed by a government minister.

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock has now pledged to sit down with residents and town hall officials to consider the options after Richard Benyon refused his request to meet a local delegation to discuss the issue.

Mr Woodcock said: “The problem of coastal erosion at Earnse Bay is of pressing concern. (more…)

AN MP is demanding government ministers step into the battle to stop homes being washed into the sea.

Residents of West Shore Park on Walney have been increasingly concerned over recent years that coastal erosion at Earnse Bay will lead to their homes being flooded.

But now Barrow MP John Woodcock hopes to lead a delegation to meet the environment minister in Whitehall in a bid to resolve the issue once and for all. (more…)

A SHORELINE management plan to protect coastal communities against rising tides for the next 100 years has been adopted by South Lakeland District Council.

The plan is in response to the predicted rise in sea levels because of global warming with local authorities around the country preparing to defend threatened coastlines.

Proposed policies for each section of South Lakeland are set out in the plan and in most cases the council feels that no intervention is needed in the short term and agrees that a “hold the line” approach be adopted. (more…)

COASTAL defences around Millom may only be actively maintained for the next 20 years, according to a new report.

The proposals, identified in Shoreline Management Plan 2, show minimal intervention would be taken after 20 years at Millom Marshes, while coast between Haverigg and Eskmeals could see no active intervention at all.

The consultation document outlines potential policies for the future of the coastline in the North West and North Wales and identifies a handful of area in South Copeland as receiving protection. (more…)

HISTORIC landmarks could disappear off the map in years to come due to coastal erosion.

The 39 “at risk” sites outlined in the English Heritage North West Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey include a pre-historic site at Eskmeals and the Ravenglass Roman fort. St John’s Church at Waberthwaite, the motte and bailey remains of the medieval Aldingham castle and quarries at Baycliff and Greenodd are also said to be at risk in the long-term.

The remains of Aldingham castle, believed to date back to the 12th Century, sit on the cliffs overlooking the sea. Robert Wheatley, of Baycliff and chairman of Aldingham’s St Cuthbert’s Church restoration committee, is well aware of the coastal erosion at that point. He said: “All along the coastline where the motted castle was, the erosion is quite bad and along by the church and just after it is terrible. (more…)

WALNEY stalwarts have dismissed claims the island has lost 100 metres of its coastline in 30 years as “rubbish”.

John Murphy has dedicated his life to studying local nature and history.

While he does not deny that parts of Walney, Piel Island and other areas along the shoreline are suffering from erosion, he refuses to believe Walney has lost 100 metres of its coastline in the last 30 years. (more…)

A COASTAL community has vowed to continue its fight to have long-term sea defences installed on its shore after the Environment Agency refused to fund the project.

Bootle beach is currently categorised under the government’s Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) as “no active intervention”.

That would mean the beach and nearby Eskmeals gun range road would be allowed to wash away.

An emergency meeting was held with villagers, Copeland Borough Council, Cumbria County Council and the Environment Agency in a bid to get the government to change the policy and defend the beach. (more…)

ULVERSTON has been left out in the cold by planners who are trying to find ways of protecting the coastline in the north-west of England, according to its mayor.

Norman Bishop-Rowe was left fuming at the fact that the town was not included in a round of consultation meetings about the proposed Shoreline Management Plan, which he claims will have a major effect on Ulverston.

The plan has been put together by the North West and North Wales Coastal Group, a partnership made up of local authorities including South Lakeland District Council, Environment Agency and Natural England, and looks at how the coastline should be managed over the next 100 years. (more…)

COMMUNITIES across Morecambe Bay are reacting to a coastal plan which outlines how the changing shoreline should be managed in future.Rising tides could threaten homes, farmland, natural habitats and a local nature reserve and South Lakeland District Council has been working on a plan of action to protect vulnerable areas.

The draft Shoreline Management Plan outlines proposals for action along the North West coast over the next 100 years as the risk of flooding and erosion increases. (more…)

COUNCILLORS have criticised the plan that will determine how the shoreline will be managed in the long-term future, claiming it does not propose enough action against coastal flooding.

Doubts were expressed over the suitability of the Shoreline Management Plan when the draft copy was put to South Lakeland District Council’s overview and scrutiny committee when it met this week in Kendal.

The plan identifies the policies for managing coastal risks in the north west for up to 100 years from now.

But councillors on the committee told Tuesday’s meeting they were unhappy with the content of the plan, which is out to public consultation. (more…)