Coastal defences - Portobello & Joppa

Post by **wangi** » 27 Nov 2007, 13:11

Some extracts from an article in the EN: Funding shortfall puts coastal homes at risk

HOMES along Edinburgh's shoreline face an increased risk of flooding as council officials say there is not enough money to fix crumbling sea walls.
...
Extensive repairs are required at the sea wall and breakwater in Cramond, and also on the sea wall between Seafield and Portobello.

Further repairs are needed on Portobello beach, which is likely to involve dredging in sand to help protect the area from rising sea levels.
...
The total bill to the council over the next three years is likely to be £740,000 - but only £260,000 has been earmarked in the budget for the next two years. The extra cash - £480,000 - will have to be found by 2010-11.
...
There is a "high probability" that the defence from Seafield to Portobello will need extensive repairs costing £250,000. The work on Portobello beach is likely to cost £200,000, although a Scottish Government grant of £50,000 may be available.
...
And Bob Jefferson, of Portobello Community Council, said the threat "has to be taken seriously", but insisted the immediate priority for council cash in the area should be a new high school.

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 27 Nov 2007, 16:24

Hmm - was that a joke by Bob???

Doesn't he think "our children" (as he keeps calling them!) deserve the right not to be swept away by a tidal wave or have their homes flooded out?

I simply can't see the logic in building a new school if a good number of children have been washed out to sea and are therefore no longer in the catchement area. Or is this just a cunning ploy to switch the problem to Fife?

Post by **wangi** » 27 Nov 2007, 16:43

Yeah, posted something along those liens to the EN thread too: "The reference to the high school is just a tangent. The council doesn't allocate money based on local issues. Imagine "sorry, no more bin collections for Portobello, no more tidying of the beach... we're saving up for the school!"". Of course that thread has now been taken over by the lunatics!

Neglecting repairs just now will only lead to much more money being required later to make them right. Some of the existing defences are currently in such a state that they are a health & safety dangers (exposed metal on the concrete groyne for example).

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 27 Nov 2007, 23:47

A tangent yes, but I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to remind people about the pressing need for a new school for our children. And that was the soundbite they selected from a 5 minute conversation about the importance of sea defences.

In the long term I would recommend moving to higher ground.

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 29 Nov 2007, 12:25

higher moral ground???

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 29 Nov 2007, 17:48

I think you'll find I already occupy that, but I'm willing to offer you a foothill.

Besides, those of you like wangi who are foolish enough to live by the sea should have grabbed some of those ex-pyramid sandbags while you had the chance.