Coast protection consultation

Give us your views on caring for the coastline between Brighton Marina and the River Adur

Local residents, businesses, and other interested parties are being invited to give their views on options for managing the coast between Brighton Marina and the River Adur for the next 100 years.

Brighton & Hove City Council, with the help of consulting engineers Halcrow Group Ltd, is putting together a strategy to manage coastal erosion and sea flooding over the next century in partnership with Adur and Worthing councils and the Environment Agency.

Work on the strategy began last year and includes surveys of beaches, the condition of sea defences, and how the coastline is affected by the wind and the sea.

Now the councils want to hear people's views on a long list of options for managing the coast. The list contains all options, from doing nothing and leaving nature to take its course, through to major improvements. From this feedback a short list of preferred options will be developed with a formal period of public consultation later this year. The final strategy will be completed next year.

Consultation opens on Wednesday, 29 May, and runs for 25 days until June 23. People can have their say, and find out more information, through the council’s website at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/coastalstudy

Councillor Pete West, Chair of Brighton & Hove City Council’s Environment and Sustainability Committee, said: “With changing climatic conditions, rising sea levels and increasing popularity both for recreation and commerce it is essential that our coastline is properly managed not just as a defence against the sea but also to maintain and enhance its environmental and economic value.”

“We hope people will take this opportunity to give us their views on this piece of coastline between the Marina and River Adur and help shape a shortlist of options for further consideration.”

Work on the strategy is financed by the Environment Agency and developed in line with their guidance for studies of this kind. A separate study will take place next year on the coastline from Brighton Marina to Newhaven.