§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those coastal areas of the UK in respect of which decisions have been taken since 1995 to abandon sea defences; and if he will make a statement. [122329]
§ Mr. MorleyI am replying in respect of England only because policy responsibility for sea defences elsewhere in the United Kingdom is devolved.
The responsibility for taking decisions on the abandonment of individual sea defences rests with the relevant operating authority (primarily the Environment Agency and local authorities) or private owners of defences. Information on local authorities and private owners is not readily available. The Environment Agency advise that they have taken no such decisions in this period.
Following the preparation of Shoreline Management Plans, operating authorities are undertaking detailed investigations into the continuing justification and sustainability of some sea defences. This may involve decisions about the abandonment of defences, but more likely decisions to establish a new line of defence.