Brighton & Hove City Council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee are hoping that local residents will play a key role in shaping the city’s coastal defences for the next 100 years.
In response to the threat of climate change, rising sea levels and stormy weather, all of which affect the local coastline and add to the risk of flooding and erosion, Brighton & Hove City Council has joined forces with Adur & Worthing Councils, Shoreham Port Authority and the Brighton Marina Company to produce a plan for the next 100 years.
A spokesperson for Shoreham Port Authority said: “We are delighted to be working closely with our neighbours to ensure the safety of the whole city. This is a vital initiative.”
The proposed strategy first divided the stretch of coastline into three areas. Officers have then looked into a wide range of options for each section, including a consideration of the potential problems.
For each area, one option has been highlighted as the preferred course of action over the 100 year life of the strategy.
For Brighton Marina, the report has proposed increasing the height of the inner harbour wall. While for the open coast between Brighton Marina and the River Adur the strategy includes enlarging some groynes to create bigger beaches, to ensure the city is adequately protected from sea level rise and the worst effects of storms at sea.
Councilor Pete West, chair of Brighton & City Council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee, said: “The recent heavy rainfall, storms and widespread flooding have highlighted the need for us to look at how we can best protect our coastline.”
He added: “I would urge residents, particularly those living near the sea, to take part in the consultation and help us to develop a strategy which will ensure our coastline is protected for future generations.”
Once finalised, the strategy will be reported back to the Council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee for approval and then submitted to the Environment Agency for agreement.
The consultation will start on January 24 and run for 3 months until April 24. Throughout there will be touring, unmanned exhibitions.
Local venues for the exhibition are:
Hove Town Hall – January 31 to February 7
Brighton Jubilee Library – February 17 to February 23
King Alfred – February 3 to March 9
Adur Civic Centre – March 31 to April 7
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