18 October 2007
An independent report on the effects of climate change on Jersey ’s coastal defences has been released by Transport and Technical Services (TTS). The report supports the programme of maintaining and strengthening sea defence works that has been carried out by the Department since 2002 and the contribution it has made to significantly reducing the risk of coastal flooding. However, it concludes that these works must continue for the foreseeable future, but reassuringly states that there are no immediate issues for the Island to deal with. It also details the expected increase in tidal levels and altered wave conditions that the Island will have to cope with into the 2080’s.
In 2002, TTS reviewed the condition of the Island ’s sea defences and developed the Island Sea Defence Strategy for maintaining and strengthening sections of the Island ’s sea defences. Work commenced implementing the strategy and major schemes have been completed in St Ouen, St Brelade, St Aubin, and many of the smaller bays. Work is now concentrated on the East of the Island with total spend exceeding £6m to date.
As part of the 2002 strategy there was a requirement to review the condition of the sea defences at five yearly intervals and to update the strategy accordingly. This work was delayed in early 2007 to await the findings and recommendations of the United Nations, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC). The IPCC Report brings together and updates all research and knowledge on current and future climate change from around the world.
Following completion of the IPCC Report, TTS commissioned their consultants, HR Wallingford, to produce a report on the effects of climate change in Jersey with specific reference to coastal defences. This report has now been completed and reviewed and is available to the public on the States website www.gov.je .
Transport and Technical Services’ Minister, Deputy Guy de Faye , said “I am delighted that our current programme of sea defence management has proven to be successful and that the Island has no immediate worries with regard to the effects of climate change on our coastal defences”. These statements were endorsed by the Minister of Planning and Environment, Freddie Cohen , who congratulated TTS on their work to date in planning the necessary adaptation of sea defences to climate change.
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