Written question asked by Lord Dykes (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Davies of Oldham (Labour) on Thursday, 10 December 2009.

Coastal Erosion

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the recent public consultation on coastal protection schemes will be extended to cover all localities where the public has made suggestions.

Answer: High-level strategies for managing coastal flood and erosion risk are set out in shoreline management plans (SMPs), with detailed consideration of different options for managing the coast provided in coastal strategies. A rolling review of SMPs covering the whole of England and Wales is currently underway. Local authorities and the Environment Agency are reviewing each of the 22 SMPs and a significant part of this process is a three-month public consultation. Coastal strategies are the next stage and look at shorter sections of coast in more detail than the SMPs. The strategies consider different options for managing the coast and are subject to significant public consultation. This provides the public with the opportunity to make suggestions and discuss the issues and proposals in more detail.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 497; 715 c145WA
Session: 2009-10
Subjects: Coastal areas Coastal erosion Flood control Protection Public consultation
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk