Environment minister Richard Benyon has promised to help resolve the issue of whether a sea wall can be built to protect a Lancashire hamlet.

Conservative MP David Morris told the Commons that residents of Sunderland Point were being blocked from building the wall by government agencies.

He said a wall would help to reduce coastal erosion by 1m (3ft) a year.

Mr Benyon said he would talk to Natural England and the Environment Agency “as a matter of urgency”.

In the Commons debate on Monday, Morecambe and Lunesdale MP Mr Morris said: “The community there are well under way of raising the money to actually put a wall of aggregate to stop the wall from eroding.

Slave’s grave

“This is not going to cost any money whatsoever to the taxpayer.

“It is a shrimping community and they want to preserve their way of life.”

Mr Benyon said: “I give him the firm assurance that I will take the points he raises and I will, if necessary, get him together with the officials whom he believes are holding this matter up.

“I do want to make sure that all agencies of government are working together.”

Sunderland Point houses a memorial to a young African slave, Sambo, who is thought to have arrived at the port in 1736.

For years his grave was unmarked, until 1795 when a local schoolteacher raised money for a memorial.

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An MP concerned about erosion of part of the Lancashire coastline is raising the issue in the Commons later.

David Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said 1m (about 3ft) of coast at Sunderland Point was lost each year.

He said several homes needed more protection from the elements, and local residents should be allowed to help build a sea wall.

The area houses a memorial to a young African slave, Sambo, who is thought to have arrived at the port in 1736.

He was brought to Lancaster by his master after working as a slave in the West Indies.

He was taken ill and died near a local inn at Sunderland Point. For years his grave was unmarked, until in 1795 a local schoolteacher raised money for a memorial.

Mr Morris is set to raise a motion asking the government to allow local residents to build a protective sea wall.

‘Wildlife haven’He said: “The Environment Agency and Natural England are preventing the people here from building a sea wall to stop the coastal erosion inwards by 1m a year.

“I am going to ask the secretary of state in my motion to override these agencies and allow the people here to be part of the ‘big society’ and preserve their community for future generations.”

The Environment Agency said it had worked with residents to minimise flood risks.

Jonathan Croft, from the agency, said: “We have been working with the residents of Sunderland Point to improve their level of flood protection.

“In 2008, through Defra’s Making Space for Water Strategy pilot project, we worked with Lancaster City Council to provide partial funding for the installation of flood resilience measures for each of the 30 properties at risk of flooding.

“This part of the Lune Estuary is a wildlife and habitat haven. If residents wish to construct a private flood defence we would like to continue working with them to help them comply with environmental legislation to balance the needs of people and the environment.”

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The meeting will take place on Friday at 1pm.

Geraldine told The Visitor: “Myself and Lancaster’s MP Ben Wallace were also missed off the list.

“A proper consultation has not been done.

“We need public meetings about all of the areas affected by coastal erosion.

“Many have a very strong case for protection such as Sunderland Point for heritage reasons, Leighton Moss reserve in Silverdale and Heysham where St Peter’s Church is threatened.”

Story by Ingrid Kent in Morecambe Today

But now this destructive climate cycle has left the shores crumbling and communities fearing they could be lost under water forever.

After years of protecting the shoreline, local authorities could wave the white flag at mother nature as they consider leaving the future of the Lancashire coastline in the hands of the gods.

Lancaster City Council is working with the North West England and North Wales Coastal Group, the Environment Agency and other organisations to draw up a Shoreline Management Plan (SMP), to establish the best way to manage the changing coast, now and for future generations.

Plans are to either to maintain the current coastal defences or allow the defences to weaken and let swathes of agricultural land turn to marshland.

Up to 10 farms and 17 properties could be destroyed and four large caravan parks in the Cockerham and Thurnham areas are at risk as environment bosses review the sea defences along the shoreline of Morecambe Bay.

The SMP options include maintaining current defences, realigning the coastline in a managed way or no active intervention.

The plan suggests studies into realignment in the Thurnham, Overton and Lune Estuary areas, which would lead to a new waterline being created inland.

In the Knott End Golf Course and Sunderland Village areas the plan suggests a ‘no active intervention’ policy, leaving nature to take its course.

Brenda Lawson, who lives at Bank End Farm, Cockerham, is one of the residents who would be affected by the plans. She is so concerned she has started a campaign group to put forward alternatives to the Environment Agency.

She says: “We farm 230 acres and have done since the 1930s. All our farm would go into the sea. It would be a considerable loss of livelihood.

“The top and bottom of it is money. They are saying it would cost £12m to maintain this stretch of coastline for 100 years, but they are maintaining they could build a new defence further back for £6m.

“But that is just the cost of building it. There is no compensation for the people who own the land they are going to build on.”

Up to 1035 acres of farmland could revert to marsh land, including the Cockerham Sands Country Park.

Director Kate Bateson says: “It is a concern of ours but it is very early days. It would affect the local economy. If they decided there would be no action taken like they have at Sunderland Point, we would be cut off.”

A decision not to fight the ebbing tide at the windswept peninsula could mean Sunderland Point could be lost to the sea.

The historic village was used as a port for slave ships and cotton ships but its importance declined as other ports such as Lancaster developed.

During high tides the village is already cut off from neighbouring Overton when the single track road that links the two becomes flooded. But if the defences are not maintained it could be lost forever, as the waters encroach on the land.

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 (the community’s] help, we will know where these risks are greatest and set out effective ways to manage these in a sustainable way.”

Pete Fox, the flood and coastal risk manager for the Environment Agency North West, 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.”

Graham Lymbery, chairman of the North West England and North Wales Coastal Group, says: “Climate change and sea level rise will mean that protecting our coast from flooding and erosion will become harder in the future. This means making tough decisions.”

Story in the Lancashire Evening Post

Four Lancashire dairy farms covering 1035 acres could disappear under the sea if the Environment Agency gives the go ahead for a shoreline management plan along the coast of Morecambe Bay.

The scheme, which will affect 10 farms in total and destroy 17 properties and four large caravan parks, is part of a review of sea defences along a stretch of north-west coastline south of Lancaster. The current sea-wall embankment runs for about five miles.

One of the farms that would be lost is John and Brenda Lawson’s Bank End Farm at Cockerham, which stands virtually on the shoreline of Morecambe Bay. This highly productive dairy farm carries around 350 cows.

“It’s unbelievable that someone has come up with a plan that will mean our farms and the future of our families will disappear under the sea and none of us has received a letter or a phone call so that we could at least be represented at the [planning] meetings,” said Mrs Lawson.

“The future of three generations of our family is now in jeopardy. How can you make any plans and invest in the farm when someone is planning on wiping out everything you’ve spent your life working for,” she added.

Local farmers have been incensed by the lack of consultation.

Even though the first official meeting to discuss the proposals to allow the sea to cover the four farms was held last September it was only a week ago that the farmers were given their first opportunity to put their case.

“We’ve now formed an action group to fight these proposals. The cost of building new sea defences along this stretch of coast would be around £6m,” said Mrs Lawson.

“The alternative is to spend £12m over 100 years to maintain the existing embankment and allow the farms to remain – and that has to be the common sense option,” she said.

Jonathan Croft, the EA’s coastal team leader, said discussions were still at an early stage and the agency was considering several options.

“We’re looking at this as a 20-year plan during which time we will evaluate various options. It may be that we decide to hold the existing line of the sea defences or advance the line. Discussions will be held during this time as we assess the situation,” said Mr Croft.

Story by Jeremy Hunt in the Farmers Weekly

PARTS of Morecambe could disappear beneath the waves if rising sea levels continue over the next 100 years, according to a new report.

Experts looking at the erosion of the North West coastline say roads and railways in the town could be affected by coastal flooding. Schools and potentially, the Queen Victoria Hospital Centre are all in the coastal flood risk zone.

Adam Barker, a researcher at Manchester University, said: “It’s a pressing issue.

“Large parts of the coastline – some of which are highly populated – are likely to recede.”

Heysham is also potentially vulnerable to coastal erosion and flooding. Promenade and beach front properties in Heysham, whilst an important attraction for tourists, are clearly at higher risk of coastal flooding and erosion.

Carnforth, Silverdale and Arnside, located as they are along the banks of Morecambe Bay, may also be prone to coastal erosion and flooding.

Half Moon Bay at Heysham, Morecambe North and South beaches and Hest Bank could be lost if erosion is allowed to continue unchecked.

Leighton Moss RSPB reserve at Silverdale is particularly vulnerable to land drainage and tide inundation, the report adds.

Researchers at Manchester University have put an interactive map online to allow families to have their say about the future of the 250-mile stretch of coastline from Cumbria to north Wales.

Adam Barker, from the university, said: “Local authorities are under pressure to release more land for development.

“Something needs to be done to manage this transition and to involve the people who live in these areas in the decision-making process.

“The Lancashire, Cumbrian and Welsh coastlines contain a number of low lying or vulnerable sections which are particularly at risk from the adverse impacts of climate change.

“If local agencies are forced to abandon sections of our coast to the sea, this can only be effectively done with the knowledge and understanding of local communities.”

Sea levels around Britain are expected to rise by between 10 and 34 inches by 2080, according to the UK Climate Change Impacts Programme.

Mr Barker and his colleague Richard Kingston are encouraging members of the public to engage with their local authorities on the best ways to manage the threat.

View the map and have your say by visiting www.ppgis.manchester.ac.uk/projects.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency, which is concerned with flooding, rivers and pollution, said: “The seafront at Morecambe is protected from coastal erosion along its entire length.

“As of 2008 the ‘Morecambe Coastal Works Comprehensive Improvement Scheme’ was in progress, affecting approximately 8.1km of coastline.

“The Improvement Scheme combines both coastal erosion protection and flood defences.

“The flood defence consists of four sections stretching from Morecambe Golf Course at the south-west up to Sandylands Promenade, between Rydal Road and Oakley Road, at the north-east.

“The flood warning areas have recently been re-mapped, using the latest technology, to take into account the flood defences.

“This helps give us a more accurate view of what could happen during coastal flooding.

“There are currently 59 properties in the Flood Warning Areas, the majority of these in the south Morecambe area.

“Members of the public can visit the Environment Agency website, enter their postcode and find out if they are in the flood risk area.”

Ged McAllister, engineering manager for Lancaster City Council, said: “The Morecambe coastal defences have been designed taking into account the current government guidance on sea level rise.

“The effect of sea level rise in the North West of England is offset by the fact the land is rising in this region.

“Work in this field is constantly under review and Lancaster City Council is constantly monitoring the current situation with regard to coastal defence issues.

“All the North West Coastal authorities extending from Great Orme in Wales to the Scottish border are currently engaged in a joint project for the revision of the Shoreline Management Plan, which is programmed for completion in 2010.

“This project will determine the future policies for the management of the North West coast.

“Further information is available on the project website www.mycoastline.org where there is an opportunity to voice your opinion on the proposals so far.”

Story by Michelle Blade in the Lakeland Echo

Dr Kingston said: “This project is about utilising new technology to make it easier for the public to engage with proposals to manage the changing coastline.

“It will provide invaluable help to the North West England and North Wales Coastal Group who are currently preparing a Shoreline Management Plan.

“The plan is the means by which the Coastal Group will determine the best way to look after the coast in a sustainable way for the next 100 years.

“It is essential that it adequately deals with the issues and concerns of the communities and businesses by using the best information available to them.

”If you don’t properly involve the public, then poorly developed and unpopular planning decisions will result.”

• The website is at http://www.ppgis.manchester.ac.uk/sm-ppgis/ – to use the map fill in the form on the ‘stage 2 is now open’ link.
• Press release on the University of Manchester website
• North West and North Wales Coastal Group website

Experts at The University of Manchester are to produce a detailed picture of the public’s views on the uncertain future of a 250-mile-stretch of coastline.

Large parts of the coast between Anglesey and Carlisle are likely to be adversely affected by rising sea levels and erosion over the next hundred years.

The area is home to some of Britain’s most celebrated wildlife, important transport links, densely populated coastal towns and cities and the nuclear reactor at Sellafield.

Drs Richard Kingston and Adam Barker from the University’s School of Environment and Development have launched a website which allows the public to add their views to an online coastal map.

“The Lancashire, Cumbrian and Welsh coastlines contain a number of low lying or vulnerable sections which are particularly at risk from the adverse impacts of climate change.

“If local agencies are forced to abandon sections of our coast to the advancing sea, then this can only be effectively done with the knowledge and understanding of local communities,” said Dr Barker.

“Clearly it’s a pressing issue: large parts of the coastline – some of which are highly populated – are likely to recede. At the same time however, local authorities are under pressure to release more land for development.

“Something needs to be done to manage this transition as effectively as possible and to involve the people who live in these areas in the decision-making process.”

According to the UK Climate Change Impacts Programme which helps coastal communities adapt to rising sea levels, tidal highs around Britain’s coast are expected to rise by between 10 and 34 inches by 2080.

Dr Barker added: “The policy options communities have to face are either abandoning the coast to the advancing sea, managed retreat, investing in measures which will hold the existing line or in some cases, advancement of the existing line.”

Threatened areas include Morecambe Bay where the historic St Peters Church in Heysham is under attack from coastal erosion. The nuclear reactor at Sellafield in Cumbria is also vulnerable.

And Formby Sands in Lancashire -home to endangered red squirrels and the rare Natterjack toad could recede by more than 400 meters in 100 years according to research carried out by the National Trust last year.

Also at risk is Cemlyn bay and lagoon in Anglesey. The beauty spot is known for its population of terns and other wildlife which may not be able to adapt to changing salinity levels caused by sea flooding.

Now the public will be able to have their say using interactive maps stored on Google and using geographic information system (GIS) technology.

Anyone will be able to click on the area where they live and add their view on what should be done.

Dr Kingston said: “This project is about utilising new technology to make it easier for the public to engage with proposals to manage the changing coastline.

“It will provide invaluable help to the North West England and North Wales Coastal Group who are currently preparing a Shoreline Management Plan.

“The plan is the means by which the Coastal Group will determine the best way to look after the coast in a sustainable way for the next 100 years.

“It is essential that it adequately deals with the issues and concerns of the communities and businesses by using the best information available to them.

”If you don’t properly involve the public, then poorly developed and unpopular planning decisions will result.”

Blackpool, which is one of the lead local authorities on the consultation, has recently invested £65 million on improving and replacing its sea wall and flood defences.

Councilor Maxine Callow, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Tourism, said: “The development of our sea wall is essential to protect the homes of our residents and our visitor economy. The investment made has protected around 1,500 homes and businesses from flood.”

Story in The Westmorland Gazette

A HUGE £60m transformation of Rossall’s sea defences in Fleetwood has been announced.

Plans have been revealed to replace the concrete sea wall – which was built more than 30 years ago – with a structure to rival the award-winning People’s Promenade at Cleveleys.

Cash for the multi-million pound proposals has already been earmarked in the Environment Agency’s budget for a three-year programme, due to start in 2011.

The new promenade will stretch from Rossall School to Fleetwood golf course and will provide protection for 6,300 homes from flooding.

Coun Keith Riley, who was hit by the big floods of 1977, is determined that the area should get something more eye-catching.

He said: “I think the wall has done a tremendous job, but it’s in constant need of repair.
“Hopefully we will get something like they have done at Cleveleys which will enhance the area completely instead of this horrible brick fortress opposite.”

Coun Riley’s home was one of those flooded when the area was swamped 31 years ago and £11m was spent on the new seawall.
He said: “I have asked Wyre Council to appraise me constantly with the design right from the word go.

“The design hasn’t been done yet and the engineers at Wyre are going to keep me in the picture.
“We have moved on. Techniques for sea defences have moved on in the last 20 years where you can build out into the beach and put stacking in which is a better form of defence than having a brick wall.

“Wyre have done a tremendous job with Cleveleys and now we are moving up to Rossall we hope we can get some of the same.”

The seawall is in need of regular maintenance to keep it up to scratch and Wyre’s Coastal Defence Strategy says the Rossall stretch would fail within five years without that work.

It is the most exposed of Wyre’s defences and is preventing the erosion of the coastline. The strategy adds: “It is predicted that failures to these defences will increase in frequency and that the risk of a major breach will quickly grow to unacceptable levels in abeyance of intervention.”

Before building work can start, Wyre Council will have to carry out a feasibility study into the project.
This will cost more than £317,000 and council bosses are applying for the funding from the Environment Agency.

The £20m People’s Promenade in Cleveleys opened last year.

It was awarded the Environmental Award at the British Construction Industry (BCI) Awards after judges praised the work done to transform the dilapidated 1920s seafront into an attractive, vibrant frontage which is safe, robust and has stimulated demonstrable regeneration”.
It was also hailed for involving the public.

Story in the Blackpool Gazette