Wales must prepare for coastal erosion such as the landslip that left 15 caravans teetering on the edge of cliff near Barry, a minister says.

Environment Minister John Griffiths is launching a new strategy aimed at managing and reducing the risks and fall out of flooding and erosion.

It aims to raise awareness, improve responses and prioritise investment in the areas most at risk.

One expert says people must accept saving all the coastline is too costly. (more…)

A recent rock fall which left caravans hanging over a cliff in South Wales brought the issue of coastal erosion into stark focus. In a special report, Rachael Misstear visits a defence project which it is hoped could protect our shoreline – and boost tourism

IT was recently named as Wales’ best place to bring up children, but the future of the village itself was in jeopardy due to decades of unrelenting coastal erosion.

Now it is hoped that part of Borth’s coastline will be protected for several generations thanks to a £12.9m coastal defence project which could also boost tourism. (more…)

THE Welsh Government has launched a strategy to manage coastal erosion, just a week after 13 caravans were left hanging over the edge of a cliff by a rock fall.

The incident at Porthkerry, in the Vale of Glamorgan, was a “devastating” reminder of the consequences of coastal erosion, said Environment Minister John Griffiths.

He told the Senedd: “We have recently been reminded of the potentially devastating consequences of coastal erosion, with the disturbing images presented to us in the media. (more…)

Several caravans at a South Wales caravan park have been left hanging from the edge of a cliff after a large section of it broke away and crashed to the beach below.

Around 40ft of rock came away from the cliff face at the Knapp Beach end of the Porthkerry Leisure Park in the Vale of Glamorgan.

It is understood no caravans went over the edge but 13 could be seen sticking well out over the edge. At least one was occupied at the time and the woman was said to be “petrified”. (more…)

A man-made barrier reef created as part of a £29m coastal defence scheme is expected to bring more surfers to mid Wales.

The 300m (984ft) reef, at Borth near Aberystwyth, is due to be completed in November.

Ceredigion council said it would provide protection from coastal erosion and flooding. (more…)

HUNDREDS of homes in Aberaeron and New Quay will be lost to the sea if action is not taken now to protect them over the next hundred years, a shock new report warns.

Ceredigion Council is currently consulting on the latest Shoreline Management Plan, which seeks to address the challenges caused by rising water levels. The report predicts a two-metre rise over the next 50 to 100 years leaving residents in New Quay making a desperate plea for action to prevent their homes crumbling into the sea as a result of cliff top erosion.

Story on the Cambrian News website

LLANDUDNO is at ‘high risk’ of flooding in the next 50 years unless work is taken to strengthen sea defences, new research shows.

It is believed that sea level rises could hit parts of the town in the future unless flood defence works are implemented.

Last week, residents in Llandudno met to discuss plans as part of the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP). The multi agency backed scheme outlines measures to tackle the threat of sea level rise and assess the risks of sea erosion to the coastline.

Dyfed Rowlands, Conwy County Council’s environment manager said: “The flood risk doesn’t look too bad at the moment but in the future, certainly with the impact of climate change and sea levels rising we should be thinking what should be done for the future,” he said. (more…)

Anglesey residents are being asked to review and comment on a final draft plan to manage the risk from coastal erosion and flooding.

The new West of Wales Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) will define how our coastal defences are managed in the future. It looks ahead for 100 years, addressing the present problems and also the need to plan for increasing uncertainty in future due to climate change, coastal erosion and pressure for change at the shoreline.

It has been developed on behalf of the West Wales SMP Partnership by specialist coastal consultants Royal Haskoning. The draft Shoreline Management Plan documents will be presented at a public exhibition at the Council Chambers, Llangefni on 17th May between 3pm-8pm, where project officers and representatives from the Consultants will be on hand to answer any questions. (more…)

The Environment Minister, Jane Davidson, has approved a Welsh Assembly Government grant of over £2.7m million towards the first phase of coastal protection works Colwyn Bay. Work is expected to start on the project later this month.

The first phase of the Council’s coastal defence strategy, estimated to cost £5 million, has already been approved for £2.3 million from the European Regional Development Fund. (more…)

A £12m pound coastal defence project at Borth in Ceredigion has been given the go-ahead.

The work will reduce the risk of flooding and coastal erosion at the seaside resort near Aberystwyth for the next century.

It will include an artificial reef that will also aim to attract surfers.

Work is expected to start on the project which has been confirmed by Environment Minister Jane Davidson in January. (more…)