Sharing ideas on coastal protection

Council's and organisations from around the country have met in the Chichester District to share ideas on coastal protection.

Chichester District Council hosted the Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group's Annual Field Trip and conference this week (12-14 June), which included learning about:

• the work completed and in progress at Chichester Harbour and the surrounding area;
• the managed realignment at Medmerry Beach;
• the introduction of an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) for the peninsula; and,
• new, privately funded coastal defences at West Beach Selsey.

This year's theme was 'progress through partnership', and members from council's, the Environment Agency, other Government agencies and organisations found out about the work being done to protect Chichester District's coastline.

"Our district is a wonderful and captivating place to live, work and play; I should know - I came here temporarily some 50 years ago," says Cllr John Connor, Cabinet Member for the Environment at Chichester District Council.

"The walled City of Chichester is a treasury of Roman, Norman, medieval and Georgian history and architecture. To the north lies the South Downs National Park and the Sussex Weald; to the south the Manhood Peninsula, Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve, and Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

"We have a dynamic, ever-changing coast and seabed, with the threat of erosion ever present. This challenges us to adapt, innovate and invent new ways of thinking and working. With double tides in the Solent, strong currents and rips, and a prevailing wind 'fetch' out to the Atlantic Ocean to add to the mix, life on our coast and harbours is never dull!

"We were delighted to be able to show our partners and colleagues what has been, is being, and hopefully will be done to protect, preserve and enhance the coast, hinterland, and environment of the peninsula and harbours.

"Opportunities to meet our coastal colleagues and partners are of immense value, giving not just an opportunity to talk about the issues, but to meet and thank representatives of other agencies and organisations. Without their advice, co-operation and friendship our work would be so much more difficult."

The event ended with the Annual General Meeting taking place in the council's Committee Rooms at East Pallant House in Chichester on Thursday (14 June).

The event was supported by a grant from the Local Government Association.

chichester.gov.uk