Two public meetings have been arranged for people to discuss the future of our coastline. The events will be welcomed by many local people who might be affected by coastal erosion, who had complained of being sidelined by recent government investigations into the problems facing Morecambe Bay residents.
Our coastline is changing, as waves, tides, wind and storms move sand and sediment around the coast and estuaries, changing the way that the shoreline looks, works and protects our homes and towns. Climate change will affect these processes and it is important that we take action now to prepare for the future.
To help local authorities to deal with the consequences of a changing coast they are drawing up long term plans to set out how our shoreline is managed and it’s hoped the Shoreline Management Plans will help to identify how to manage our coast over a long period of time.
The SMPs analyse the social, environmental and economic effects of different management regimes and the consequences on the protection of communities and land against coastal erosion and flooding.
To enable people to discuss issues raised in a recent consultation on the content of the Shoreline Management Plans, two public meetings have been arranged. The first – a meeting for the residents of Overton, Sunderland Point and Heysham – will take place on Tuesday 16th February at Morecambe Town Hall.
This will be followed by a meeting on Wednesday 17th February at Carnforth Railway Centre for residents of Carnforth, Bolton-le-Sands, Hest Bank and Silverdale.
Representatives from Lancaster City Council, the Environment Agency and the North West Coastal Group will be on hand to answer questions and provide information.
Both meetings start at 7.30pm.