SMP Stage 1: Data Collation, Analysis, Interpretation and Objective Setting
Organisation
96M477/3/C
Responsibility
Defences
Copeland Borough Council
12.2
1.6
Allerdale Borough Council
76.5
9.6
Carlisle City Council
31.2
-
Environment Agency
119.9
18.4
National Rivers Authority
-
18.2
Cumbria County Council
-
4.4
Private Frontages:- Railtrack plc
- Maryport Harbour Commission
- Maryport Golf Course
- British Steel
- Port of Workington
- Whitehaven Harbour Commission
- Associated British Ports
- National Coal Board
- Others
Table 1.1: Lengths (km) of Coastal Responsibilities and Defences
Bullen Consultants Limited
3.0
1.0
1.3
0.3
0.2
0.7
1.0
0.1
1.53
SMP Stage 1: Data Collation, Analysis, Interpretation and Objective Setting
Ownership
96M477/3/C
Approximate Foreshore Length (km)
Lonsdale
27.8
Allerdale Borough Council
5.5
Curwen
5.8
Cumbria County Council
2.8
Crown Estates
1.8
Senhouse
2.0
Standish Estates
26.0
Castletown Estates
20.6
Other
70.0
Table 1.2 : Lengths (km) of Foreshore Ownership
Note:
Lengths of foreshore ownership have been measured along the mean high water mark
(MHWM).
Bullen Consultants Limited
SMP Stage 1: Data Collation, Analysis, Interpretation and Objective Setting
ORIGINAL
DOCUMENT
NO.
K9222
SCALE
1:
25 000
TITLE AND PARTICULARS OF
DOCUMENT
Solway Firth
Approaches to Rough Firth
K9091/1-2
7 500
Silloth
K8869/1-8
25 000
St Bees Head to Solway Firth
K7992*
20 000
Approaches to Silloth
K6565*
10 000
Approaches to Silloth
K4850*
25 000
Solway Barrage Study - bottom contours
E5245
75 000
Southerness Point to Abbey Head
E4993
75 000
Workington Bank to Silloth Channel
B2651
73 000
A5093
96M477/3/C
AUTHORITY
DATE
HMS Fox
1983
HMS Fox
1982
HMS Fawn
1981
British Transport
Dock Board
British Transport
Dock Board
Babtie Shaw and
Morton
HMS Gleaner
1976
HMS Flinders
1937
Allonby Bay to Annon Foot, resounded
Archdeacon
1890
75 000
St Bees Head to Abbey Head to Carlisle
Kerr
1876
A5092/1-2
24 100
Kerr
1875
A4556
73 000
St Bees Head to Abbey Head to Annan Railway
Bridge
Workington to Skinburness, resounded
Kerr
1875
A1859
73 000
Solway Firth, corrections
Geddes
1869
D1523
24 300
Maryport and Southerness to Carlisle
Wright
1855
D1243
6 200
Silloth Channel Bar
Tucker
1855
D1707
24 100
Silloth Channel
Robinson
1854
D1706
6 100
Silloth Road
Robinson
1854
L4146
73 000
Robin Rigg and Channel
Robinson
1844
L4116
24 100
Robin Rigg and Channel
Robinson
1844
L1221
24 300
Maryport to Port Carlisle
Robinson
1836/7
24 100
St Bees Head and Abbey Head to Carlisle
Robinson
1836/7
24 100
St Bees Head and Abbey Head to Carlisle
Robinson
1836/7
24 000
Maryport to Port Carlisle
Robinson
1836
63 500
Mackenzie
1775
L1218
1972
1966
1938
Pg 1732
75 000
Walney Island to Carlisle including the Solway
Firth
Solway Firth
Pg 1643
7 500
Silloth
1982
Pg 1553/1-6
10 000
Approaches to Workington
1980
Pg 1359
50 000
Solway Firth
1973
Bullen Consultants Limited
1983
SMP Stage 1: Data Collation, Analysis, Interpretation and Objective Setting
96M477/3/C
Table 2.1 : Hydrographic Chart Information
Area
Year
1. St Bees H.
1863
1898
1923
2. Kells
1863
1898
1923
1968
1979
3. Whitehaven
1863
1898
1924
1968
1979
4. Parton
1864
1898
1924
1956
1967
5. Micklam
1864
1898
1924
1956
1967
6. Harrington
1864
1898
1923
1956
1968
1975
1991
7. Workington
1864
1898
1923
1956
1968
1975
1991
8. Siddick
1864
1899
1923
1957
1967
1979
1991
9. Flimby
1864
1899
1923
1957
1967
1979
1991
10. Maryport
1864
1899
1923
1967
1979
11. Bank End
1865
1898
1923
1967
1979
12. Saltpans
1865
1898
1923
1967
13. Blue Dial
1865
1898
1923
14. Allonby
1865
1899
1923
1971
15. Dubmill Pt
1866
1898
1923
1972
16. Mawbray
1866
1923
1972
17. Beckfoot
1866
1899
1923
1972
18. Wolsty Bank
1866
1899
1923
1972
19. Silloth
1866
1899
1923
1972
20. East Cote
1866
1899
1923
1972
21. Grune
1866
1899
1924
1972
22. Calvo Marsh
1866
1899
1924
1973
23. River Waver
1866
1899
1924
1973
24. Cardurnock
1866
1899
1924
1973
25. Herd Hill
1866
1899
1924
1973
26. North Plain
1866
1899
1924
1973
27. Bowness
1866
1899
1924
1972
28. Port Carlisle
1866
1899
1945
1972
29. Westfield
1866
1899
1945
1972
30. Drumburgh
1866
1979
1938
1938
1947
1948
1924
Table 2.2 : O.S. Map Information
Bullen Consultants Limited
1993
1971
1972
1980
SMP Stage 1: Data Collation, Analysis, Interpretation and Objective Setting
96M477/3/C
Coastal Length
Recession (-m/year)
Moss Bay
Flimby
Maryport Golf Course
Saltpans, Crosscanonby
Mawbray Bank
Blitterlees Bank
The Grune
Grey Havens, Bowness
Easton Marsh
0.89
1.32
0.76
1.00*
0.86
0.64
1.50
0.44
2.81
+
Table 2.3 : Coastline Recession (1924-1972)
+
*
recession rate applies to period from 1956 to 1968
recession rate based on figures from Posford Duvivier report (1994) and measurements taken during
walkover survey (1991-1997)
Bullen Consultants Limited
SMP Stage 1: Data Collation, Analysis, Interpretation and Objective Setting
Location
Whitehaven
Workington
Silloth
Newbie
Glasson
Redkirk
Source
Bullen Consultants (1996)
Dixon and Tawn (1995)
Coles and Tawn (1990)
Extrapolation using Tidal Similarity Technique
Extrapolation using Tidal Similarity Technique
Extrapolation using Tidal Similarity Technique
Table 2.4 : Sources of Extreme Sea Level Predictions
Bullen Consultants Limited
96M477/3/C
SMP Stage 1: Data Collation, Analysis, Interpretation and Objective Setting
-95%
Return Period
1
2
5
10
20
50
100
250
500
1000
Hs
5.26
5.55
5.93
6.20
6.47
6.81
7.07
7.39
7.63
7.87
Hs
6.24
6.60
7.06
7.40
7.73
8.16
8.48
8.88
9.18
9.48
Table 2.5: Extreme Wave Heights, Location 54.5°N, 4.1°W
Bullen Consultants Limited
96M477/3/C
+95%
Hs
7.52
7.97
8.56
8.99
9.41
9.95
10.35
10.87
11.26
11.63
SMP Stage 1: Data Collation, Analysis, Interpretation and Objective Setting
Location
Years of Data
Rates of Change
mm/year)
96M477/3/C
Period of
records
Milford Haven
12
-3.40 + /- 1.37
1964 - 1980
Holyhead
20
1.62 + /-0.71
1960 - 1988
Birkenhead
15
1.60 +/-1.46
1956 - 1972
Liverpool
18
2.03 +/-0.94
1959 - 1981
Heysham
17
2.02 +/0.81
1962 - 1988
Douglas
32
0.26 +/-0.67
1938 - 1977
Portpatrick
19
6.61 +/-1.23
1968 - 1987
Belfast
12
-0.99 +/-2.17
1957 - 1969
Belfast 2
45
-0.25 +/-0.34
1918 - 1963
Dublin
52
0.24 +/-0.34
1938 - 1989
Table 2.6 : Rates of Mean Sea Level Rise around the Irish Sea
Bullen Consultants Limited
SMP Stage 1: Data Collation, Analysis, Interpretation and Objective Setting
Location
96M477/3/C
Years of Data
Rate of Change
mm/yr
Period of Record
Silloth
40
5.0
1928-1978
Whitehaven
25
7.0
1967-1992
Heysham
26
9.32
1964-1991
Fleetwood
43
2.4
1930-1978
Georges Pier (Liverpool)
42
2.6
1857-1903
Princes Pier (Liverpool)
37
11.1
1941-1977
Table 2.7 : Rates of Annual Maximum Sea Level Change for the Eastern Irish Sea
Bullen Consultants Limited
SMP Stage 1: Data Collation, Analysis, Interpretation and Objective Setting
Length of Coast
Estimated Rate of annual
Coastline Movement
(+seaward)
Moss Bay
Flimby
Maryport Golf Course
Saltpans, Crosscanonby
Mawbray Bank
Blitterlees Bank
The Grune
Cardurnock Marsh
Grey Havens, Bowness
Easton Marsh
-0.5
-1.0
-0.3
-1.0
-0.5
-0.5
-1.0
+1.0
-0.2
-1.0
96M477/3/C
Anticipated future coastline position
from present in metres.
(No. years from present)
10
25
50
100
-5
-12.5
-25
-50
-10
-25
-50
-100
-3
-7.5
-15
-30
-10
-25
-50
-100
-5
-12.5
-25
-50
-5
-12.5
-25
-50
-10
-25
-50
-100
+10
+25
+50
+100
-2
-5
-25
-50
-10
-25
-50
-100
Table 2.8 : Typical Rates of Future Coastline Advance or Retreat
Bullen Consultants Limited
SMP Stage 1: Data Collation, Analysis, Interpretation and Objective Setting
TABLE 4.3 PROPOSED MANAGEMENT UNITS
Unit No. and
Name
Land Use
Unit
Coastline
Length
(km)
Unit Change
Coastal
Process
1. St Bees to
Saltown Bay
Version 1.0
96M477/3/C
477\2/A
Coastal Processes Description
Land Use Description
Erosion of sandstone cliff and overlying boulder
clay and spoil slag deposits to provide material to
full south - north littoral drift. Material accumulated
behind south breakwater arm at South Beach or
swept offshore. Residual tidal currents and wave
action head NE.
Sea cliffs within an area designated as Heritage Coast and
within the St Bees Head SSSI, an area designated as a result
of its importance for breeding birds. The area to the rear of the
cliffs is arable.
Land
Use
2. Saltown Bay
Area formally used for quarrying sandstone. Largely
recolonised quarry spoil with some acid grassland species.
This area is within the St Bees SSSI.
3. Saltown Bay to
Kells
Sandstone cliffs within the St Bees Head SSSI. Arable and
improved grassland to the rear.
Kells to
Whitehaven
Harbour
Sandstone cliffs and areas of mining spoil seaward of reseeded
pasture and a mire. There is a RIGS within this site.
5. Whitehaven
Harbour to
Redness Point
Exposed to full coastal processes generating
northerly drift of material. Bed rock exposed with
some cobbles/boulders. Shallow embayments and
the lea of Whitehaven Harbour trap shingle size
sediment as do a number of slag deposits which
form artificial headlands and Harrington. Sediment
drift to the north is restricted by all of these
features.
Fronted by Whitehaven Harbour and an industrial facility. This
area includes a County Wildlife Site.
6. Redness Point
to Tanyard Bay
Coastal railway forms a coastal defence structure along this
length of coast with improved grassland to the rear.
7. Tanyard Point
to Lowca Beck
Coastal railway with some buildings to the seaward side. The
village of parton lies to the landward side of the railway line.
This unit includes a RIGS on the foreshore.
8a. Lowca Bank to
Harrington Parks
Coastal railway with industrial installation to the landward side.
8b. Lowca Beck to
Micklam Point
Coastal railway with improved grassland and arable land to the
landward side.
9. Harrington
The coastal railway forms the most seaward feature for much of
this unit although there is also a marina, a pier and a
breakwater seaward of the railway. The inland area comprises
farmland and land in urban use. There is a Local Nature
Reserve (Harrington Reservoir) within ... km of the coast
10. Harrington to
Moss Bay
Coastal Railway with hard cliffs and the residential area of
Salterbeck to the landward side. The unit includes two county
Wildlife Sites.
11. Moss Bay to
River Derwent
Disused slag bank seaward of the industrial area of
Workington. This unit also includes the Workington dock
areas.
12. River Derwent
to Siddick
13. Siddick to
Flimby
Bullen Consultants Limited
Exposed to coastal processes although sheltered
from SW by orientation of the coast and from N
restricted by Scottish Coast. Artificial headlands
formed of spoil deposits from old iron/steel works
contain a landfill site which suffer erosion at the
south of the unit. Little material is supplied to the
beach from the slag deposits or supplies from
further south are prevented by harbour areas and
harbour channel maintenance. Further north the
coast has been protected by the historic drift of
eroded slag and spoil material. Land is low lying
and liable to flooding if defences or railway line
breach. Beach is steepening due to reduced
supply of material. Maryport harbour arm restricts
northerly drift of sediment.
A golf course fronts part of the coastal land use in this unit,
along with an area of neutral grassland either side of the
railway. Siddick Pond Local Nature Reserve and SSSI are
situated approximately ... km from the coast, to the south of
Siddick.
Seaward of the coastal railway is a strip of dune grassland and
small patches of neutral grassland. the landward side of the
railway comprises improved and semi improved grassland.
SMP Stage 1: Data Collation, Analysis, Interpretation and Objective Setting
TABLE 4.3 PROPOSED MANAGEMENT UNITS
Unit No. and
Name
Land Use
Unit
Coastline
Length
(km)
Unit Change
Coastal
Process
Version 1.0
96M477/3/C
477\2/A
Coastal Processes Description
Land Use Description
Land
Use
14. Flimby
Coastal railway fronted by a strip of dune grassland. Landward
of the railway is the village of Flimby.
15. Fothergill to
Maryport Harbour
Southern part of unit fronted by coastal railway with improved
grassland inland. In the northern half of the unit the railway
moves inland and the coast is fronted by mining spoil and
dunes. Maryport docks and Maryport Harbour, including a
SSSI, are situated within this unit.
16. North
Maryport
This unit is generally sheltered from SW storm
conditions due to orientation of the Coast
becoming progressively more sheltered towards
the north due to the closer proximity of the Scottish
Coast and the incidence of coastal scars and
estuary sand banks. The sediment drift is
northward. The beach at the south of the unit
informed of bed rock with only a light covering of
coarse sediment. This is a result of lack of supply
from further south and enhance erosive conditions
due to sea wall. Further north a shingle beach
ridge is fronted by sandy beach which merges with
estuary sand banks and coastal scars. At Dubmill
Point the shingle ridge is controlled by a groyne
field and backed by a concrete revetment.
Between Bank End and Allonby the coast is low
lying and dune management techniques have
been unsuccessful at stemming the erosion of this
otherwise unprotected length..
This unit comprises residential and recreational land uses.
17. Maryport to
Allonby
Dune grassland and heathland form the seaward habitats, with
the landward area being used for agriculture. There is a RIGS
site within this landuse unit.
18. Allonby
The village of Allonby fronts part of this unit and landuse is
largely residential and recreational. Open dunes front the
northern area of this unit and there is a County Wildlife Site
within this area.
19. Allonby to
Dubmill Point
This unit is fronted by improved grassland and arable land, with
a small strip of dune grassland in the south. Salta Moss SSSI
is located approximately ??? kms inland of the coast.
20. Dubmill Point
to Silloth Harbour
Silloth Dunes and Mawbray Banks SSSI front the majority of
the length of this unit, consisting largely of dune heath and
grassland. Silloth Golf Course is well used for recreational
purposes. Two County Wildlife Sites and a RIGS site are
located within this unit. The area is also within the Upper
Solway Flats and Marshes SSSI.
21. Silloth
Harbour to
Skinburness Bank
The coastline is heavily defended by sea wall and
groyne field, rock armour revetment and beach
nourishment up to Skinburness Bank. Sediment is
particularly coarse at the southern end but reduces
to shingle at the north prior to the Grune.
Particularly to the south the beach is starved of
sediment supply due to the Silloth Harbour arm.
Estuary banks provide shelter from wave activity
but the proximity of the main flood channel to the
coast has caused the beach to slope steeply. The
Grune shingle spit formed by the northerly drift of
sediment has responded to a reduction of
sediment supply by narrowing at its neck in recent
years
22. The Grune
The harbour area and town of Silloth are located in this unit
and land use is mainly residential and recreational. A concrete
wall and groyne structures provide the sea defence for the
majority of this unit. The area is within the Upper Solway Flats
and Marshes SSSI.
Grune Point is a shingle spit with a variety of habitats with
areas of gorse scrub, saltmarsh, dune grassland, rough
grassland and bare shingle. There are also some areas of
improved grassland and arable land. The area is within the
Upper Solway Flats and Marshes SSSI.
23. South
Moricambe Bay
The confluence of Waver and Wimpool rivers is
sheltered from significant exposure conditions
which has resulted in the development of
extensive areas of saltmarsh. This saltmarsh has
been partially reclaimed for agriculture which is
protected from inundation by sea defence
embankments.
Much of this unit comprises saltmarsh interspersed with areas
of less maritime grassland with numerous creeks and drains
running throughout. Landward of the marsh areas improved
grassland and arable land comprise part of the area.
Wedholme Flow SSSI is located ??? kms inland of the coast
and the unit is within the Upper Solway Flats and Marshes
SSSI.
24. North
Moricambe Bay
Saltmarsh backed by agricultural land with limited
exposure westward to Scottish coast. Has
For the most part the unit is fronted by a narrow strip of
saltmarsh, grazed in places. Landward of the marsh improved
Bullen Consultants Limited
SMP Stage 1: Data Collation, Analysis, Interpretation and Objective Setting
TABLE 4.3 PROPOSED MANAGEMENT UNITS
Unit No. and
Name
Land Use
Unit
Coastline
Length
(km)
Unit Change
Version 1.0
96M477/3/C
477\2/A
Coastal Processes Description
Land Use Description
and Cardurnock
Flatts
developed significantly over recent years reflecting
position of main tidal channels and supply of
sediment from the south.
grassland and arable land are the predominant land use.
Bowness Common SSSI is located ??? kms from the coast and
the unit is within the Upper Solway Flats and Marshes SSSI.
Cardurnock Airfield, now disused, is located within this unit and
the area is owned by the GPO and used as a transmitting
station.
25. Bowness on
Solway to
Glasson
Exposed to only local generated wave conditions
and the movement of the principal tidal channels.
Extensive areas of salt marsh exist backed by sea
defence embankments which protect reclaimed
agricultural land.
The coast is fronted by saltmarsh and immediately landward
the predominant land use is agricultural under improved
grassland or arable. The villages of Bowness-on-Solway and
Port Carlisle are located within this unit as are Bowness
Common and Glasson Moss SSSI's. Campfield Marsh RSPB
Reserve and Bowness-on-Solway Gravel Pits Cumbria Wildlife
Trust Reserve are also within this unit.
Coastal
Process
Land
Use
26. Glasson to
River Eden
The unit is fronted by saltmarsh and, in places, clay cliffs.
Some areas of the upper saltmarsh have been improved and
the area landward of the marsh is largely agricultural. There is
a RIGS site within this unit. On the southern side of the River
Eden estuary is a small strip of saltmarsh. To the seaward side
is a sand beach used as a road. The area landward is largely
agricultural.
27. River Eden to
River Sark
The northern side of the River Eden estuary is largely
saltmarsh. Rockcliffe Marsh is a saltmarsh area and the area
landward of the marsh is largely arable and improved
grassland. Rockcliffe Marsh Cumbria Wildlife Trust Reserve is
located within this unit.
Bullen Consultants Limited
LENGTH OF COASTLINE
ORGANISATION
STATUTORY
RESPONSIBILITY
COAST DEFENCES
(The initials indicate
within which Coast
Protection Authority the
defences are located
Statutory Authorities
Copeland Borough Council (CBC)
12.2
1.6
Allerdale Borough Council (ABC)
76.5
9.6
Carlisle City Council (CACC)
31.2
-
Environment Agency (EA)
119.9
18.4
National Rivers Authority (NRA)
18.2
Cumbria County Council (CCC)
4.4
PRIVATE
Railtrack Plc
-
3.0
Maryport Harbour Commission
-
1.0
Maryport Golf Course
-
1.3
British Steel
-
0.3
Port of Workington
-
0.2
-
0.7
-
1.0
-
1.63
Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners
Associated British Ports
Others
Table 6.1 : Length (km) of Coastal Defence Responsibilities and Structures
SMP Stage 1: Data Collation, Analysis, Interpretation and Objective Setting
96M477/3/C
Return Period
HS (- 95%)
HS
HS (+ 95%)
1
2
5
10
20
50
100
250
500
10000
5.26
5.55
5.93
6.20
6.47
6.81
7.07
7.39
7.63
7.87
6.24
6.60
7.06
7.40
7.73
8.16
8.48
8.88
9.18
9.48
7.52
7.97
8.56
8.99
9.41
9.95
10.35
10.87
11.26
11.63
Table 2.4 : Extreme Wave Heights Location 54.5o N 4.1o W
Bullen Consultants Limited