Published: February 21, 2007
Major new climate study highlights flooding risks to Burnham-On-Sea

Burnham-On-Sea is today (Wednesday February 21st) singled out as one of the Somerset towns most at risk from climate change.

Somerset County Council has published a new report predicting what impact the effects of global warming and sea level rises will have on the county.

New maps starkly illustrate how Burnham-On-Sea, Highbridge, Berrow and parts of Brean face a significant risk of coastal inundation. (Click maps 1 and 2 for larger versions).

Applying data from climate and flooding experts, it is predicted that the chances of a severe tidal flooding event, large enough to overwhelm current defences and threaten the M5 and railway links through Somerset, could increase from today’s 200 to 1 chance in any given year to 17 to 1 by 2060.

The County Council's study also states that the threat posed to 32,500 properties across 6,200 square kilometres of the county currently vulnerable to flooding from a combination of coastal and river events could rise markedly.

It goes on to say that average July temperatures will have risen by four degrees centigrade throughout Somerset by 2080 if emissions remain high, with more damaging extremes of temperature and prolonged drought. "By 2080, there could be a net sea level rise of 80mm per year in the South West if emissions remain high," it concludes.

In unveiling the gloomy predictions, the County Council has launched a series of new initiatives to tackle climate change.

Cathy Bakewell, Leader of Somerset County Council, is to sign the 'Nottingham Declaration', committing the authority to actively tackling climate change and reducing emissions in the area.

The County Council has also announced a stakeholder and public consultation for its Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (SCCAS).

A Somerset Climate Mitigation Strategy is now in preparation, which will set targets for the County Council to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its service areas and encourage and help partners to do the same.

Together, they will form the Somerset Climate Change Strategy, a countywide approach to protecting infrastructure and services from climate change and reducing emissions co-ordinated by Somerset County Council.

Somerset County Council already has a range of projects and initiatives in place to reduce emissions and promote renewable energy and there are more to come later this year.

As well as supporting the Environment Agency in its prioritising of flood defence works, Somerset County Council will develop a countywide response through a Water Management Partnership. This will involve all stakeholders plus regional and national agencies in developing a coordinated approach to combat the future rising flood risk challenge.

Councillor Paul Buchanan, Somerset County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "Somerset County Council understands its responsibility to protect its residents and prepare for the future. Our track record and forthcoming projects show that climate change is a top priority."

"We are well placed to take the coordinating role, working with partners and local community groups to adapt to unavoidable changes and reduce emissions to stop the worst case scenarios becoming reality. It is our duty to tackle this challenge head on."

Cllr Bakewell added: "Global warming will seriously affect Somerset. Our announcements today put into place initiatives to tackle the causes and consequences of climate change in Somerset. We must lead the way and help others to follow."

Somerset County Council's Climate Change Adaptation Strategy sets out the threats posed to Somerset as a result of climate change in the coming decades, using data from a number of respected bodies.

Although the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy is issued primarily for consultation with stakeholders, such as Somerset’s five district councils, members of the public are also invited to give their views.

Although the County Council says it does not have the resources to reply to comments individually, these, together with the results of the consultation on the forthcoming Climate Mitigation Strategy, will be considered in the preparation of the final Climate Change Strategy.

Members of the public can view and respond electronically to the full consultation document by visiting www.consultationfinder.com/somerset from February 26th. Copies will also be made available in libraries. The closing date for responses is 31st March.