This page has information on coastal erosion risk management projects. These projects often involve working in partnership with other organisations.
Making Space for Sand
Making Space for Sand is a coastal resilience innovation project. The project looks at how sand dunes can be a natural defence against flooding and coastal erosion. This is important as we're seeing bigger, stronger and more frequent storm events. Dunes will also play a role protecting us from predicted future sea level rise due to climate change.
The project is one of 25 projects funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme (FCRIP). This Environment Agency manages this programme. The programme aims to drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation.
The aims of the Making Space for Sand project are to:
- increase understanding of problems associated with sea level rise and coastal erosion
- increase understanding of the impact this will have on coastal communities
- encourage a more sustainable use and development of the coastal fringe
- allow for a more natural, ecosystem approach to coastal management.
40 locations along the Cornish coastline will benefit from the project. All sites will have a basic assessment. Outputs will be more significant at locations where data will be of a wider value.
The project will undertake a range of activities, including:
- Information gathering, comparing past and present beach and dune conditions
- Data modelling to evaluate changes and envisage how our coastline might look in the future
- Ecological assessments about the condition and biodiversity of the dunes
- Coast Snap, a community science project. Coast Snap gathers photographic evidence of how our beaches are changing
- Community engagement to facilitate adaptation and resilience plans and improved dune management
- Identifying interventions which will help build community resilience
For more details please visit the Making Space for Sand Website. The website includes details on how to get involved.