Coastal erosion poses a growing environmental, social and economic threat to coastal communities, new APSE report warns

A new report by APSE, ‘Coastal Erosion: How local authorities are dealing with increased levels of coastal erosion linked to climate change’, reveals the growing impact of rising sea levels and climate change on coastal authorities.  

Barriers faced by local authorities 

Despite the escalating risks faced by residents and communities, the report finds that local authorities continue to face significant barriers to protecting coastlines.  

These include the high cost of hard engineering solutions, the non-statutory status of Shoreline Management Plans, increasing pressure to meet national planning targets and insufficient long-term funding, all of which limit councils’ ability to plan, deliver and maintain effective coastal protection.  

Calls for statutory powers 

The report calls for Shoreline Management Plans to be made statutory, granting greater powers to local authorities and establishing the plans as mandatory, enforceable policies.  

This echoes the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coastal Communities’ position and the growing consensus that Shoreline Management Plans must be better integrated into planning decisions.  

Greater investment and funding 

Although the report recognises the role of government funding, including the £5.2 Billion Capital Programme from the Department for Environment, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, it argues that this does not go far enough.  

The report calls for greater investment, particularly for local authority Shoreline Management Plans, and warns that current funding levels are insufficient to meet the scale and ambition set out in the plans. It also argues that financial support for residents affected by coastal erosion should be enhanced, including improved relocation packages and increased compensation.  

APSE Comment 

Mo Baines, APSE Chief Executive, said:

This report demonstrates that local authorities face significant challenges in protecting coastal areas and communities. Much more could and should be done to accelerate responses to coastal erosion, providing certainty in terms of resources and planning for the future impacts

Report author Wayne Priestley, added:

The issue for many coastal authorities is whether the resources they need to achieve the necessary levels of protection, to protect key sites and infrastructure will be forthcoming. Frustratingly whether such a significant national problem as coastal erosion is seen as urgent matter is questionable.

Read the report here

Notes to editor 

• APSE (the Association for Public Service Excellence) is a not-for-profit organisation working with over 300 local governments and other public bodies across the UK. We advise on how to deliver frontline services that are locally accountable, responsive, and efficient. 

• The report was commissioned and produced by APSE in response to concerns raised by many of its member councils in coastal areas who have shared their concerns on how best to protect coastal communities, assets and infrastructure.