Publication: “Selsey Life” July 2007

SOS

Despite the calm summer sea, SOS has been keeping up the pressure on the Environment Agency and Chichester District Council regarding our coast defences.

On 10th May, SOS received reports that the Environment Agency had started removing breastworks (lateral groynes which run along the line of the beach) at Medmerry, in breach of a written promise to “hold the line” by maintaining the beach.

We demanded that they stop dismantling the defences, and contacted Fred Robertson, District Councillor for Selsey South, who immediately visited the site and talked to the site manager, who agreed to halt the work. At the same time we contacted Andrew Tyrie MP, who was able to ensure we got a written response from the Agency within 24hrs. The Agency was forced to admit that it hadn’t advised the landowners of its intention to do the works. Thanks to Fred and Andrew for their assistance.

SOS has since had a formal meeting with the Agency, to discuss the maintenance of Medmerry beach during the period while a new coastal strategy is being agreed. The beach doesn’t just protect the caravan parks and homes along the seafront: it is an essential coast defence for Selsey, giving protection to our main road and sewage works. We will keep up the pressure on the Agency to fulfil its promise to maintain the beach here.

Talking of promises (“Action, not words” - one major political party’s recent election promise), the hole in the sea wall at West Beach doesn’t look very different from what it was like 3 months ago. As this goes to press, Chichester DC is asking DEFRA to agree to pay for rebuilding the wall.

SOS will be urging DEFRA to give the Council a very quick reply. We will also be asking the Council to ensure it has a fallback plan (if DEFRA won’t fund the rebuild, or don’t reply quickly). Time is running out: even with funding, the works wouldn’t start before September, and would take 3 months to complete. By that time, we will be into the period of big tides and autumn storms.

Finally, we must thank the Year 7 students at the Manhood Community College, who organised a charity disco in aid of SOS and CLICK. It is very encouraging to see youngsters taking the initiative and actively supporting community groups. They raised a substantial sum of money (details shortly), and can be very proud of their efforts. It’s great to see our local kids setting such a great example. We really commend them for their efforts.