New erosion study in wake of storm chaos
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A STUDY to assess the erosion along Sutherland’s east coast, and to plan future coastal defences, is to be commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage.
This follows a meeting last Friday, held at SNH’s Golspie headquarters at the Links, Golspie, which was called to deliver a "post-mortem" on the effects of last December’s devastating tidal storms, and suggest how to protect the sea defences should similar surge tides happen again.
The cost of repairing damage to the local authority’s harbours and piers from Helmsdale to Embo is just under £100,000, it has been estimated, while the pan-Highland Council bill is likely to be over £2.5m. Insurers will be looking at claims for thousands of pounds more from local businesses.
Convened by local MSP Rob Gibson, those attending Friday’s meeting included the ward’s three Highland councillors – Graham Phillips, chair of TEC services; Deirdre Mackay, chair of the Caithness and Sutherland Area Committee; and Jim McGillivray.
There were also council officials, and representatives from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) present.
Local businesses and organisations were represented by Golspie and Dornoch Golf Clubs, The Golspie Links Caravan Site, The North of Scotland Kart Club (Golspie) and Grannies Heilan’ Hame Holiday Park, Embo, as well as SNH themselves as custodians of the Loch Fleet Nature Reserve.
The commercial representatives gave graphic descriptions of how their business or club had been effected by the storm, and SNH and SEPA flood maps were examined.
There were also reports from council officers. It emerged that businesses were deeply concerned about "getting up and running" in time for this year’s tourist season.
Everyone present agreed that immediate, emergency repairs, using natural local materials, were necessary, but that there was also a need for a long term plan for bolstering sea defences, to secure the future of East Sutherland’s coastal economy, which is supported by some 10,000 visitors a year.
SNH offered to commission Professor Jim Hansom, of Stirling University, to undertake the medium term study into erosion along the coastline from Shore Street in Golspie, to Littleferry, some three miles to the south.
This would assist in planning the adaptation of coastal defences to endure higher tides, stronger winds and more prolonged storm sequences. The study is expected to take some months.
The findings and lessons will be rolled out to other areas, including Helmsdale, Brora and Embo.
