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Saturday, October 11, 2008, 08:45
Increased land erosion, ferocious storms and climate change are threatening to change the region's coastline forever, according to the National Trust.
The report shows that 174 miles of coastline, 109 miles of coastal paths – more than 10 per cent of Devon and Cornwall's coastal paths – could be destroyed by forces of nature in the next 20 years.
In addition, the report says 852 hectares of coastal land are also at risk of tidal flooding.
The Shifting Shores report – an update on research carried out in 2005 – warns 21 sites of historical, natural or economic importance in the South West will be increasingly at risk and need further protection.
Of these 21 sites, 13 including Godrevy beach, St Michael's Mount, Mullion Harbour in Cornwall, South Milton Sands in South Devon, and Black Ven near Lyme Regis, Dorset, are considered high-risk.
Eight other sites, including Boscastle Harbour in Cornwall, Wembury and novelist Agatha Christie's former home at Greenway Quay in Devon, are considered medium-risk.
Mark Harold, National Trust director for Devon and Cornwall, said the report was a wake-up call for local authorities, landowners, the Government and businesses to take action.
"It is a dramatic finding which is why it is important everyone acts now. We are very keen to share what we have learned with others, as what the trust is facing will be mirrored across much of the UK's coast.
"There is a host of public and private sector organisations and individuals with a stake in the future of our coast. Everyone needs to wake up to coastal change, and begin planning co-ordinated responses on how to adapt to the inevitability of sea level rise before it is forced upon us."
Mr Harold said the report highlighted the areas owned by the National Trust most at risk of coastal erosion and the impact it would have on the trust's cultural heritage and buildings, the environment, public access and the financial cost.
Although the National Trust owns about 35 per cent of the South West coastline, other land and properties are at risk.
In the next 75 years, more than a million properties throughout England and Wales will be at risk of sea and tidal flooding and more than 110,000 properties will be at risk from coastal erosion, says the report.
Mr Harold said: "Our message is what is everyone else doing? Everyone will be affected. The trust cannot work in isolation. We have to engage with other agencies so we all take a holistic approach to dealing with these challenges.
"The forces of nature will not make any difference between the various agencies whether it is the Government, us, local authorities or private landowners. But we can work together to minimise the impact of nature."
The Environment Agency said it had drawn up plans to protect areas most at risk of tidal flooding, especially along the Exe and Teign estuaries. It this week revised £4 million plans to protect Teignmouth in South Devon from rising sea levels.
The town is vulnerable to flooding from the sea and the Teign estuary along Back Beach.
But while sea defences built in the 1970s have stood firm, new defences need to be built to stop the river overflowing.
Mark Owen, path development officer with South West Coast Path, said that £650,000 was spent every year on maintaining footpaths in the region but it was money well spent because footpaths and coastal walks generated £300 million in tourism.
He said: "In a few cases, it will not be worth saving a coast path because of the erosion.
"But in most cases, we hope to move coast paths in line with the moving coastline."
Annette Cole, of South West Tourism, said: "Footpaths are a regional icon. In a recent survey of visitors to the region, walking and heritage sites came top of the list.
"Losing coastline and footpaths would be very detrimental to the region."
To view the Shifting Shores report, visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
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Battling the elements: A Second World War pillbox showing erosion on Bossington Beach at Porlock, near Minehead
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