INVESTING IN THE PROTECTION OF OUR COASTLINE
How long do we have to wait for some action? Our coastline is eroding, our patience is waning; we must turn the tide on this indifference to this situation.
Sefton Council has produced no shortage of strategies, especially during 2018 when they were reviewing a Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Strategy, and producing a Coastal Strategy, The Coast Plan and the Coastal Adaptation Strategy.
In June that year they prepared an “Issues Paper” concerning areas of asbestos which was being exposed on the shoreline north of the Coastguard Station. In November 2018 they proudly reported to their Regeneration Scrutiny Committee that:
“The Crosby Coastal Scheme is underway with Mott McDonald awarded the contract to support the development of a business case. The scheme aims to gain planning consent by autumn 2019 and be on site during summer 2020. The project requires circa £15-20M of capital funding and we are working with partners in the Environment Agency and United Utilities to secure contributions to the funding required.”
So, what is this £20m scheme?
The Consultant’s reported in August 2019 on the environmental issues relating to the Council’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Scheme (FCERMS) including the need to devise a strategy to safeguard the coastline from further erosion with 169 properties being at risk from coastal erosion and prevent flooding affecting 2,584 properties on land adjacent to the coast. The report also highlighted the need to protect a major sewer within 5metres of the sea defences which, if breached, would deposit untreated effluent from 12,000 houses onto the beach and/or sand-dune habitat. Clearly a very real and urgent problem.
Where is this project up to? Clearly, no work has begun in Summer 2020. In fact the entire project has slipped, with no reason given by the Council. A report was intended to go to Cabinet in October 2019, but the latest Forward Plan shows this has slipped to December 2020. However, this is not the start of the work – oh no! This is a report on the preferred scenarios and funding options to address the issues which were highlighted in 2018/2019. Then a scheme has to be designed, planning application obtained, tenders obtained, before a shovel hits the ground. A long way from the Summer 2020 start. Meanwhile the coast continues to erode, properties are at risk and that sewer pipe remains in jeopardy of spreading its contents over the shoreline.
Why does everything take such a long long time for action to begin?
Is this Council concerned? They don’t appear to care and the local Labour Councillors seem equally un-concerned about the risks to their constituents. Residents are being treated with contempt and are not informed about reasons for delays to this critical project and its consequential impact on our coastline.
Residents realise that managing the unique Sefton coastline requires special measures and presents some technical challenges. This is an area of nature conservation and biodiversity. There is a need to maintain the coast to form a natural sea defence, whilst at the same time planning work which adheres to planning and natural conservation requirements. We also realise that the impact of climate change will have significant impact on the coastline. Water levels are expected to rise and there could be damage to structures by increasingly strong winds. Climate change could also impact upon habitats and species.
Take a look at Crosby beach. This is the beginning of the 22 mile Sefton Coastal Path from which people can enjoy views across the sea to the Wirral and North Wales. Anthony Gormley Sculptures look proudly out to sea.
We realise that significant expenditure is required over the coming years to meet the technical issues that saving our coastline requires but there are some really simple projects that could be completed to improve the aesthetic and educational experience of visitors to this magnificent coastline.
Install new waste bins made of robust non corrosive material with lids to replace the rusty structures in-situ at present. These overflow very easily and the contents blow around the shore line or are scavenged by seagulls.
Why not make some of the waste receptacles more appealing to children, replicating what many excellent primary schools have placed in their school playground? Young children need to be encouraged to dispose of their litter correctly.
Surely too, Sefton Council could install litter bins which encourage recycling of plastic, metal and glass. Those that visit the coastline often bring picnic materials that they want to recycle rather than end up in land fill.
Signage is poor. Yes, we have “paid and displayed” but what other signage is visible to visitors to the area? People need to be informed that Sefton Coastline is one of the most important nature sites in Great Britain. The biological and geological features have contributed to it being designated an area of special scientific interest. There is absolutely no educational signage for visitors to read either about the immediate area or about the estuary and the magnificent shipping which sails into and out of our famous port.
Visitors are charged to park to view the coastline. What happens to this revenue? Could this not be re-cycled to pay for proper basic amenities, such as litter bins and signage?
Tourism is a high priority within the Merseyside area and will doubtless help the local economy. However, Sefton Council is missing an opportunity. Granted, it is using £3.1m of funding from the Liverpool Combined Authority to renovate the Crosby Leisure and Adventure Centre, but what about the opportunities at Burbo Bank? Parts of the Coastguard Station have recently been advertised as surplus to requirements. Has this Council considered using this building as a Visitor Centre, with proper catering and toilet facilities? This would create jobs locally and provide a durable base for the RNLI and Green Sefton team. The venue could serve as a base for organised coastal walks to promote healthy living. It could also offer cycle hire facilities.
Much is being done by the local voluntary and faith sectors to promote landmarks along the coastline. Look at the work by the friends of Old Christ Church in Waterloo, the friends of the Waterloo Gardens, and St Nicholas Church in Blundellsands. How can these centres of excellence be better promoted by our Council as part of the coastal heritage?
Somewhere in Sefton Council, there is a plan, waiting to be implemented. In the meantime, very few of the local residents or visitors to the area are aware of the dangers lurking in the sand dunes, and the potential impact on health.
Sefton needs to turn the tide on their slow response and inaction before there is very little coastline left to save.
