A strategy for managing coastal flooding and erosion risks in Cumbria for the next 100 years has been approved by the county council.
The Cumbria Coastal Strategy recommends long term sustainable solutions and will be used to make the case for government funding for coastal management defence schemes in the future.
Over the last three years, Cumbria County Council has worked with coastal protection authorities – Allerdale, Barrow, Carlisle, Copeland and South Lakeland councils – the Environment Agency, Natural England and Network Rail, and other key organisations, to develop the strategy for the future management of the coast.
Consultants Jacobs were commissioned by the county council to help develop the strategy, and the project was funded by the Environment Agency.
The county council will continue to work alongside the relevant district authority or infrastructure provider to support delivery of the actions and future schemes set out within the strategy.
Much of the study work proposed in the strategy will justify the viability of future projects and will result in further investment in the Cumbria coastline.
Councillor Keith Little, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “To ensure we fully understand and include the impacts on communities, the local economy and environment, the council has carried out two rounds of public engagement and also engaged with a number of partners and stakeholders to help shape and inform the content of the strategy.
“This will put us in the best place possible to secure funding from the government for future flood and coastal risk management schemes and also help secure national funds to contribute to the cost of defences.”
The objectives of the strategy are:
- To evaluate the risk of flooding and erosion along the Cumbrian coastline
- Identify properties and infrastructure at risk
- Identify and evaluate potential long-term solutions
- Form a robust and objective evidence base
- To provide a framework for future infrastructure and development
