Council seeks residents' views on coastal erosion at beaches

Studies have been carried out to examine various issues at Irvine Beach and Stevenston Beach and now drop-in public consultation sessions are taking place later this month.

Both studies looked at how the beach areas have already changed, and how they are likely to change in the future.

The studies were prompted by issues raised in the Ayrshire Shoreline Management Plan, which assesses risks associated with coastal processes.

In Stevenston, the shoreline has changed significantly and continues to change in response to storms and changes in vegetation present which would normally protect the beach from wind blown sand erosion.

The Irvine shoreline has also seen significant change. The dunes are eroding and, as the shoreline sets back further, the buried rock-filled gabion baskets are being exposed to high waves they are not designed to resist.

Stevenston Beach (Image: Stella Shek)

Climate change - especially rising sea levels - is increasing erosion and this means the way dunes, shoreside access for beach visitors and coastal defences are managed and used needs to change.

In Stevenston, a public consultation event is being held in Ardeer Youth and Community Centre on Wednesday, August 14.

This is a drop-in session, meaning you can go along any time between noon and 4pm and share your views.

Key topics include management of: the slipway; erosion to the colliery spoil headland; Stevenston Burn and the footbridge and biodiversity.

The Irvine event is being held in the Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine, on Thursday, August 15, again from noon to 4pm. This is also a drop-in session.

Thomas Reaney, head of Neighbourhood Services, said: “Here in North Ayrshire, we are lucky to have some stunning coastline and lovely beaches – and we have to now reflect on natural and other impacts on the shoreline to determine how best to protect these for future generations.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to attend the consultation sessions.”