£160k to study coastal erosion at Moray village
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Kingston will be the first to benefit from a £160,000 study to help deal with erosion along its shoreline.
Moray Council's economic development gave the go-ahead yesterday for a 'coastal change adaptation plan' to be developed.
The money Moray Council comes from a £12 million Scottish Government fund for local authorities to suggest ways to combat the impact of rising sea water and severe storms on coastal towns and villages.
Speaking at yesterday's meeting, councillor David Bremner (Fochabers/Lhanbryde, SNP) broadly welcomed the plan and for Kingston to be the starting point.
However, he accused previous councils of "kicking the can down the road" on the issue.
He said: "It’s good there’s recognition that there is a problem, but it really is late in the day.
"I worry about the timescale of this.
"People are worried now. The word 'adaptation' doesn’t seem synonymous with doing something."
Cllr Bremner asked what discussions were being held with the Crown Estate, which owns the land, and whether it would make a contribution.
He was told talks had been held and would continue.
Village residents have raised concerns about a shingle ridge, which sits to the north of a tidal lagoon and reduces the impact of waves on the land.
Moray Council officers have monitored the situation over the last nine years with little significant movement noticed until a storm in October last year.
The storm pushed shingle from the ridge into the lagoon, reducing its width and causing damage to the land bank.
Cllr Marc Macrae (Fochabers/Lhanbryde, Conservative) said: "There has been this difficulty at Kingston for quite some time.
"It’s very welcome that the significant change has been recognised."
Cllr Macrae called for other parties including the Crown Estate and Sepa to get involved with the plan.
The £160,000 is expected in the financial year 2022/23 and must be spent within the 12-month period.
It is thought more funding will become available after 2025.
