Coombe Barton Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Sea level threat to force retreat of communities in Wales See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-26125479 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hughes Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Covered on a programme on BBC Wales last night, with a number of interesting interviews. The future looks bleak there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neil Posted February 13, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 13, 2014 Didn't see the full programme only the briefer (I assume) version on the local news. I'm not sure the issue is totally cut and dried as the managed retreat apparently isn't part of the Welsh Assembly strategy. Indeed the boffin interviewed pointed out that in the case of Fairbourne that the required full studies had not been undertaken so it would be most difficult for a judgement to be reached. Two things occurred to me later. The first being that the announcement was made on the same day that Cameron was making his 'whatever' it takes speech, and wondering if the timing was significant and how one would affect the other. Secondly assuming a worst case scenario and Fairbourne is left to the mercies of tide and storm would the altered topography have implications for Barmouth Bridge? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hughes Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Most of the areas in Wales which may fall under the 'managed retreat' rubric are what are known in Welsh as 'morfa' (as in Morfa Mawddach) - literally 'sea place'. Within historic times, for instance, the sea came to the foot of the cliff on which Harlech Castle is built, so really all that's happening is that the sea is returning to places where it was not that long ago. The sea has at times flooded the land and later retreated from it along here for generations; but it was stated quite clearly in the programme that rail and road routes would be protected regardless. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Neil Posted February 14, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 14, 2014 Many thanks for the added clarity John. I have a sneaking suspicion that the Fairbourne Railway will fall outside a 'protected rail route'. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
branchie Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 Having been involved in the preparation of the document in N.W.Wales then I'd suggest that the media coverage of the issue hasn't been that accurate (no surprise there!) As for managed retreat not being part of WG strategy, then I'd suggest people look at the cover of the West of Wales Shoreline Management Plan 2 and note the logos on the front! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Captain Kernow Posted February 14, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 14, 2014 Many thanks for the added clarity John. I have a sneaking suspicion that the Fairbourne Railway will fall outside a 'protected rail route'. Perhaps it will depend on how much support it gets from bodies like the Local Authority, hopefully recognising the contribution that it makes to local tourism etc.? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hughes Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Perhaps it will depend on how much support it gets from bodies like the Local Authority, hopefully recognising the contribution that it makes to local tourism etc.? Somehow I don't think that the Fairborne was included in the list of protected assets - they were talking about the Cambrian Coast line! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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