A WALNEY councillor has urged the council to find the funding to install ‘desperately needed’ sea defences on the island.
Councillor Frank Cassidy (Walney Island, Labour) told members there is an ‘urgent need’ to upgrade the rock armour at the north side of the defences on Walney Island as the sea is ‘almost lapping at the doors’ of chalets at West Shore Park.
Cllr Cassidy asked the cabinet member for climate, biodiversity and environmental services councillor Giles Archibald whether funding will be found to install sea defences to protect properties at West Shore Park. He also asked whether defences could be put in place before the worst of the winter weather.
Cllr Archibald said coastal erosion on the island was a matter of ‘extraordinary importance’ to the council but added it requires national engagement as well as the involvement of the local authority.
Cllr Archibald added: “We are treating this matter with high priority. I personally worked on this matter over the weekend.
“We have reached out to the MP this morning urgently requesting a meeting to discuss this because we need her support if we are to move this forward in a way that protects residents.”
Cllr Cassidy told the council chamber ‘unusual weather events’ linked to climate change are threatening properties at West Shore Park, which is home to hundreds of residents.
He said: “Walneyites, Barrovians and visitors to the area are asking for the coastline to be reinforced. It is ten years since any meaningful defences were established and the picture has changed dramatically since then.
“We are grateful to our flood and coast risk management officers who have been good to work with. But during our latest communication the only substantial thing we have been offered is an opportunity to discuss the issues in a working group.
“Chair, our council-tax paying residents don’t really need another working group. They need sea defences installed at the weak spot near the chalets, and they need them very soon.”
Westmorland and Furness Council is currently working in partnership with the Our Future Coast project team at West Shore Park to develop a strategy to manage and adapt to coastal change.
Funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes, of which £5 million has been dedicated towards Coastal projects, the Our Future Coast has aims to plan for and manage coastal flooding and erosion risks across the North West.
This includes West Shore Park in Barrow which has received an allocation of £200,000 from this fund for coastal monitoring and adaptation.
Councillor Archibald told Cllr Cassidy in the meeting an officer would provide a written response to his question.
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