MP Michelle Scrogham has condemned the postponement of a vital local authority report which was due to set out options to stop coastal erosion next to West Shore Park on Walney Island.
Increasing levels of coastal erosion has resulted in the island’s Earnse Bay coastline receding significantly – with high tides lapping just metres from chalets at West Shore Park.
In October 2024 Mrs Scrogham carried out a lengthy inspection of the eroded seafront with Westmorland and Furness Council leader Jonathan Brook.
The MP subsequently pressed the council for remedial action to be taken, while also holding talks with senior Environment Agency officials. The park’s owners – the Berkeley Leisure Group – was also made aware of its responsibilities.
After a number of delays and postponements, key stakeholders were focused on a report by engineering consultants Jacobs that was due to be published Friday, December 19.
The report was commissioned to examine causes of the severe erosion and offer possible solutions – including coastline management.
But earlier in December the council’s flood and coast risk management team said the report would be delayed because it “was not of the standard that we would want to share at this point in time.”
Earlier this autumn Mrs Scrogham wrote to hundreds of West Shore Park residents – many of whom are waiting anxiously to hear of developments.
In her letter the MP stated: “The people of Walney Island and West Shore Park residents in particular have waited far too long for answers. I expressed my dissatisfaction with both the slow pace of progress and the lack of communication with residents.
“As council tax payers you deserve to know what measures are being considered to protect your homes and your coastline.
The letter continued, “While I am disappointed by delays to this important work, I have now been assured that the report will be published on Friday, 19 December, with no further extensions expected.”
Mrs Scrogham was then deeply disappointed after finding out there was going to be another postponement.
Michelle Scrogham MP said, “This report is an absolutely vital next step in finding a solution at West Shore Park, so I’m angry that it has been delayed yet again.
“Our West Shore Park residents have waited for months that have turned into years to obtain information about how the coastal erosion is developing and what might be done to address the situation.
“The advancing sea has destroyed concrete walls and is getting closer to the chalets.
“This simply isn’t good enough and I will be speaking to council leaders without delay.”