So far as maintenance is concerned, the optimum level of commitment was reached in 1992/93 and provided this is not eroded in future years, the coast should enjoy a proper degree of professional husbandry.

The Council is engaged with New Forest District Council and the consultant's Halcrow to produce a 50 year Christchurch Bay Coastal Defence Strategy which will form the benchmark for the Second Generation SMP. The Strategy is due for public release in 2006.

The only major cloud on the horizon is the expected rise in mean sea level due to climate change and the 'Greenhouse Effect'. It is widely acknowledged by coastal experts that this will result in two main effects:

(i) A steadily increasing attritional attack on existing defences, and

(ii) a greater risk of extreme events, such as the 1987 hurricane.

In the first case, the best method of defence is to ensure that the coast is maintained in a good state of repair, so that attritional damage can be absorbed as it occurs. In the second cause, damage is likely to be heavy enough to require capitalisation of funding (and therefore grant aided) and there is every reason for coastal authorities to continue to press for Government contingency support.

Climate change is the most serious environmental challenge facing us in the 21st century. Scientists agree that the activities of humans are increasing global warming and changing our climate. In 2002, a new report was released showing four different possibilities of how our climate in the UK might change. The scenarios take into account the possible changes in technology and lifestyle over the next 100 years. Our climate may not change in exactly the same way as predicted in the scenarios, but they give a guide about what we can expect.

Annual average temperatures look set to rise by between 2C and 3.5C by the 2080s. The south and east of the UK will most likely see the largest rise in temperature, in contrast to the north and west which will see the least. Precipitation in winter will increase in all areas of the UK, between 10% and 35%. However the country will be 35% drier as a result of less summer rainfall. The largest changes are predicted for the southern and eastern parts of England, the smallest changes are forecast to be in northwest Scotland. Also less snow will fall throughout the UK - a decline of up to 90%. As well as changing temperatures and rainfall, climate change will impact on our health, economy, houses and countryside. Reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses by burning less oil will help to reduce future impacts, but we also need to look at ways to adapt to climate change. A European project called " ESPACE (opens in a new window) " (European Spatial Planning: Adapting to Climate Events) will raise awareness of climate change and of the need to adapt to it. 

The Channel Coastal Observatory (opens in a new window)  based in Southampton is a new initiative for the whole coastline of South-East England from Dorset to the Thames Estuary. The CCO co-ordinates and manages a range of databases on coastal conditions (eg: wave data, aerial photographs, beach profiles) to assist work by partner organisations. These partners comprise DEFRA, Environment Agency and over 30 local authorities including Christchurch Borough Council.

The effects of flooding and coastal erosion on people and properties, locally and nationally, can be devastating. It's essential that the best possible protection mechanisms are in place to minimise these effects. The importance of strategic direction to manage risk cannot be understated.

Historically, sea flooding responsibilities on the coast have been shared between the Environment Agency and 92 coastal local authorities. Responsibility for coastal erosion lay wholly with local authorities.

The Environment Agency (opens in a new window)  has been given a strategic overview for all sea flooding and coastal erosion. Work by Government, in partnership with the EA, LAs and coastal groups such as SCOPAC has led to the development of a Coastal Strategic Overview allowing new ways of working between these key organisations to improve the sustainability, prioritisation and management of the work on the coast.

• Coastal Engineering Team Leader
  Name: Steve Woolard
  Email: engineering@christchurch.gov.uk
  Tel: 01202 495095
  Full details for Steve Woolard