Walney Island sea defences take one step further towards completion
MP, councillors and local people meet to discuss the issue
Bolstered sea defences could be brought in for residents who have been ‘waiting far too long’.
Residents on West Shore Park on Walney Island have been raising concerns about coastal erosion for years.
Parts of wall and road in the area have previously collapsed, with calls to bolster sea defences in the area to combat further erosion.
On Friday, councillors, Michelle Scrogham MP and other stakeholders met to discuss the long-standing issue.
Now, Mrs Scrogham says a coastal engineer will ‘help move forward a design for the sea defences’ and better understand the costs.
Mrs Scrogham said: “Residents have told me how severe the situation has become and I’ve paid visits to Earnse Bay and seen the situation for myself.
“The town hall meeting was useful to set up the short, medium and long-term planning for coastal erosion and the installation of new sea defences.
“In the past Westmorland and Furness Council officers have made some of the right noises, but residents want to see less of the talk and more of the action.
“It has now been agreed to seek the services of a coastal engineer to help move forward a design for the sea defences and better understand the costs required to get the work done.”
She said it was to ‘protect the homes of residents’, adding: “Thanks need to be given to our Westmorland and Furness Labour councillors for Walney who have been pushing on this for years.”
Councillor Frank Cassidy, of Walney Island, Labour, said: “It was useful to get everyone around the table so that rock armour extension cost estimates and outstanding land ownership issues could be discussed.
“Our first duty is to the residents of West Shore Park, and they have been waiting far too long for additional sea defences to be installed at the northern end of the old track.
“But now it feels like the ball is finally rolling with actions and timelines agreed.”