The
Manhood Peninsula's
coast is under constant bombardment from the sea. Much of the
land on the peninsula is low lying. The current line is held by
artificial defences consisting of various sea walls preventing
incursion and flooding. There is a serious risk that parts of the
existing defences will fail within 12 months. If the defences fail
extensive areas will be flooded and property damaged.
Latest proposals.
A new proposal has been issued by the Environment Agency in partnership with Arun and Chichester District Councils titled 'Planning for the future - Pagham to East Head Coastal defence strategy 2007'. The document is intended as a basis for consulting people in the affected areas. The proposal entails permitting some parts of the Manhood Peninsula to become flooded and revert to salt-marsh whilst defending others, including most major built-up areas, at least for the next 20 years.
Manhood Peninsula Friends of the Earth's initial views are set out in our position paper. Following discussions and public meetings we feel that the consultation proposals are seriously flawed and our recommendations for answering the questionnaire are explained in Have your say.
Click to petition
the Prime Minister drawing attention to the problems of the south coast.
Two public
meetings to
explain the issues and costs of the proposal arranged by
the Manhood
Peninsula Group of Friends of the Earth and local pressure
group Save Our Selsey
were held
on
31st January 2007 in Selsey Town Hall and the
second on 25th
January at the White Horse Centre. The
meetings were extremely well attended demonstrating Selsey residents'
great interest and concern. The first meeting had
150 people in the audience but unfortunately very many more
had to be turned away because
the venue was too small.
At the second meeting the audience numbered approximately
350!
Details of the first meeting with pictures and a list of the
audience´s questions can be found here. At each of the
meetings a panel of speakers explained the proposals. At the
first meeting the Environment Agency were represented on the panel but
unfortunately they
declined the invitation to be present at the larger venue!
Who
will pay for the
works?
Maintaining
the
peninsula's sea defences involves extensive and expensive maintenance
work every year. With sea-levels rising by up to 6 mm annually, and
with an increase in the stormy winds predicted as a result of global
warming, the cost of managing the defences is now becoming critical.
Check: who
will pay?
Get the official information
The changes will affect everyone living or working on the Manhood
peninsula.
Further information about the planned changes and copies of
the plan document is
available from:
Environment
Agency, Saxon House, Little High Street, Worthing BN11 1DH
telephone: 08708 506 506
alternatively
the information can be downloaded from the EA's website at:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/yourenv/consultations/
[click
on “current consultations” and then
“Pagham to East Head ...”].
Most
important:
The threats will affect you! Have your say!