Published at 16:38, Sunday, 10 February 2013

THE long fight for coastal protection improvements on Walney could be coming to an end after a government funding commitment.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has confirmed that £335,000 is set to be contributed over the next two financial years to fund a sea defence programme at West Shore, Walney.

Residents of West Shore Park and other parts of the island have lobbied Barrow Borough Council after becoming increasingly concerned in recent years that coastal erosion will lead to parts of the island being lost.

Phil Huck, executive director of Barrow Borough Council, said the authority was working with the government to try to get all the funding available for the project to begin later this year.

He said: “This is confirmation that the money is there for the scheme, and what we are doing is turning that into a real application at the moment.

“What we want to do is bring the commitment forward as we want to start something in the autumn at the latest.

“We are doing all the work in preparation on the assumption that it will happen.”

The scheme is projected to cost £615,000 in total, with Barrow Borough Council having agreed to commit £55,000.

Some £75,000 will come from the Regional Flood Committee and £150,000 will be contributed by owners of the park Embra Ltd.

The government’s agreement to back the scheme in principal was announced as part of a nationwide scheme to tackle flooding and erosion.

Almost 100 new flood defences were given the green light today in a move the government says will better protect more than 64,000 homes from flooding.

Environment secretary Owen Paterson said: “The 93 schemes given the green light today will bring huge relief to tens of thousands of homes and businesses that have lived with the fear of flood waters hitting their doors.

“They can get on with their daily lives and work knowing that there are well-built defences.”
 

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk