Studies proposed to preserve borough’s coastlines (From Thisisdorset)

Studies proposed to preserve borough’s coastlines

11:23am Thursday 31st July 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share

IN-DEPTH studies into coastal erosion and land drainage are being proposed to preserve coastlines and wetlands in Weymouth and Portland.

Officers from the borough council have earmarked projects to examine the north west shoreline of Portland Harbour, Chesil Cove sea wall, Lodmoor RSPB nature reserve and Radipole Lake RSPB nature reserves for potential government funding.

Members of the council's management committee on August 5 are being urged to support bids to secure £220,000 in grants from the Environment Agency to fund the four research projects.

We take a closer look at the four studies being proposed.

NORTH WEST SHORELINE OF PORTLAND HARBOUR.

EROSION along the coastline of Portland Harbour is a very real threat to homeowners in Old Castle Road, according to a council report.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council members are being advised to look into the matter further after it became apparent just how serious the consequences could be.

Senior engineer for the council's highways and design department Mike Larkin says in his report for the management committee that dozens of homes were revealed to be at risk in a study into the economic, social and environmental impacts of coastal erosion.

He said: "The results of the assessments have shown that over the next 100 years under a scenario of 'No Active Intervention', 73 property assets with an estimated capital value of £21million and a range of assets are at risk of being lost to landslips. The study has identified that Old Castle Road in the vicinity of Castle Cove, with the road and service infrastructure beneath, is at risk within the next 20 years.

"The loss of this area would cut off more than 40 properties from road access and services.

"If left to continue land slipping an estimated capital value of property assets of £10 million will be lost."

The council will be required to spend £150,000 on the study but even if further threats to homes are revealed they may not be able to carry out any protection works.

Current government policy on the coastline is to 'retreat the line' - take no action to prevent erosion and landslips - so the council is unlikely to receive funding for any works.

The council is now preparing an exhibition for Old Castle Road residents at Castle Cove Sailing Club on September 11. Residents will be called on to add their voices to a campaign to change the government policy.

CHESIL COVE COAST PROTECTION.

THE sea wall at Chesil Cove protecting Portland's coastal slopes is showing 'severe signs of coastal erosion'.

Mr Larkin says in his report that wearing away of the concrete wall has exposed steel reinforcements and various cracks have appeared in the wall.

The beach level at the end of the sea wall has also dropped, exposing metal sheet-piles to corrosion and the full force of the waves.

A threat to the wall could cause risks of landslides downhill from Cove Cottages, Underhill Junior School and Killicks Hill, according to the report. The management committee is being advised to support an application for a grant of £50,000 towards a study assessing the financial, environmental and technical feasibility of repairing the wall.

LODMOOR WATER LEVEL MANAGEMENT PLAN.

WEYMOUTH'S £84 million relief road could impact on water levels at Lodmoor nature reserve.

A Water Level Management Plan was drawn up for the 75-hectare Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in October 2002 to balance the water levels for the interests of nature conservation, flood defence and recreation. The council is now being asked to review the plan, taking into account the impact of the proposed relief road. The review will look at the potential effects of water flows from balancing pools serving the road and from the road surface as well as environmental improvements to mitigate the impacts associated with the relief road.

RADIPOLE LAKE WATER LEVEL MANAGEMENT PLAN.

THE RSPB has drawn up new plans for the management of the nature reserve at Radipole Lake. The council is now being urged to reconsider its Water Level Management Plan for the site in light of the RSPB's proposals, which include cutting reed beds and clearing ditches.

The review will also look at the effects of new penstocks controlling water levels and the build up of silt in the lake. Natural England has also stated that it is keen to see the SSSI return to 'favourable condition'.

• Print
• Email
• Share