Reisdents in Burnham-On-Sea will today (Tuesday, October 13th) be able to have their say about the threat of coastal erosion and how our coastline and its estuaries should be managed.
The Environment Agency is holding an event in Burnham’s Princess Hall to present a draft version of the Somerset Shoreline Management Plan, which considers flood and erosion risk management.
The event will include formal presentations and discussions between 3pm and 5pm and an open exhibition, which anyone is welcome to visit, between 5pm and 7.30pm.
“A Shoreline Management Plan provides an assessment of the risks to people and the developed, historic and natural environment, resulting from the evolution of the coast and estuaries,” said project manager Angela Proctor from the Environment Agency.
“It is vital that we engage as many people as possible who have an interest in this issue during these consultation events, to ensure we are making informed and sustainable decisions.”
Coastal Group chairman Humphrey Temperley added: “Coastal erosion is nothing new – communities have suffered its effects throughout history and it will go on happening. We need to look now at how we can cope with it over the next 100 years, given what we know about the resources that will be available and how the coast will change.”
For further information on the Somerset Shoreline Management Plan, including a copy of the draft document, visit here. The three month public consultation period for Somerset will run through until January 8th, 2010.
Pictured are the stormy scenes in Burnham-On-Sea in October 2008
