The Coast

Many coastal areas are under significant development pressure. They also face major challenges as a result of climate change related sea level rise. Development in the coastal zone therefore has to take account of long-term sustainability considerations. ABPmer is at the forefront of understanding of coastal processes and how these might respond to climate change and further development. Such an understanding is fundamental to developing sustainable solutions at the coast. We work with a range of development interests including ports, harbours, marinas, waterside industry such as power stations and pipeline operators, coastal defence authorities and property developers. We also undertake a range of relevant research focused on flood and coastal erosion risk management. We have delivered a number of high profile commissions under the Environment Agency’s National Engineering and Environment Consultancy Agreement (NEECA).
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Morecambe Coastal Defence Works

Morecambe Phase VI Coastal Defence Development Mitigation Works

As part of Phase VI of the coastal defence programme at Morecambe, novel environmental mitigation work was undertaken to offset impacts to the Morecambe Bay Special Protection Area (SPA). This involved excavating, moving and recreating glacially formed cobble ‘skear’ habitat that would otherwise become buried under the footprint of a cross-shore breakwater. This mitigation work was undertaken, in consultation with Natural England, in order to preserve in-situ the existing skear habitat because it is a sub-feature of the SPA and has potential value as a feeding area for water birds. This is believed to be the first time that such skear creation work has been undertaken and it is hoped that the lessons learned from this work and the associated 2-year ecological monitoring programme will inform future coastal developments.

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Aberdeen Beach Study

To assess the relative benefits of various options for improvements to the coastal defences at Aberdeen, ABPmer completed a detailed numerical modelling investigation. The study provided an investigation of coastal processes, followed by an analysis of the anticipated effects of the proposed remedial schemes upon the response of the beach and the overall regional behaviour of the shoreline.

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Tywyn Coastal Protection Study

To assist with a proposed coastal protection scheme, ABPmer provided technical advice on the scheme’s design and undertook an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). A review of coast protection options for Tywyn was completed and a conceptual design developed. In addition to providing this design guidance, ABPmer also carried out the EIA for this scheme. The EIA included, among other aspects, the assessment of impacts to the physical conditions of the coast (e.g. long-shore drift patterns), ecology and nature conservation, marine heritage and navigation.

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Barrow Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

To meet the requirements of Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25) a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment for the redevelopment of Barrow Docks and Barrow Island was undertaken by ABPmer in partnership with sub consultants. ABPmer undertook flood risk topographic mapping, extreme water level prediction, climate change and isostatic change predictions, wave field analysis and developed the study deliverables. ABPmer also undertook a Flood Determination Study as part of the project, examining the flood risk potential of Cavendish Dock Reservoir.

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