Methodology for the risk assessment of coastal erosion in the United Kingdom.

Abstract

Successful management of the coast requires a clear understanding of the risks of coastal erosion and instability. The importance of understanding and managing these risks is recognised in DEFRA's High Level Target, which requires Local Authorities to assess coastal erosion risks and reflect these in their development plans. In recognition of this a Defra/EA Research & Development project (FD2324) has been commissioned to establish a robust and consistent probabilistic approach to assess coastal erosion risk. A key driver for the research is the need to provide coastal authorities with the means to better understand, appraise, and quantify the coastal erosion risks they manage. As such, the tools developed are appropriate for application without requiring expert inputs. Consistent erosion risk evaluation at a local level, fused with 'high level' methods, will also benefit National Government in its assessment of coastal erosion risk in the context of the scale and prioritisation of funding. The methods developed provide a means of better understanding the extent of coastal erosion risks and the likely implications of future natural and human changes to the shoreline at a variety of spatial and time scales. This provides a "strengthened framework" for erosion risk assessment and, in turn, the management of that risk. The approach builds upon existing best practice, pulling together work on slope processes, risk assessment, defence performance, and receptor (asset) mapping.