Thanks to Richard Hunt and BBC Online News for the Headline
The RNLI have objected to the proposal to build 17 Rocky Groynes(manmade rock headlands ) on Blackpool’s sandy beaches to prevent coastal erosion. The timing of the proposal and it’s approval is necessary to ensure that the funding from Central Government is available.
The Council has a “statutory” duty to protect the coastline, however, they cannot afford to lose the money that they have been allocated for the existing scheme, as an alternative new scheme would not be allocated the money as there have been reductions in the Budgets allocated by Central Government.
As the RNLI’s role as a Charity is saving lives, I’m sure they are objecting to the proposal for a good reason. Yet the Council may be forced to go forward with a scheme that might “endanger” lives because it does not want to lose funding from Central Government and still wants to maintain sea defences.
Coastal erosion is far too serious a problem to be subject to the whims and changes in Central Government, and dare I say it changes in Political Leaders. There must be a way forward that is the “best solution ” it shouldn’t be a case of putting something in place just because the funding will be available , either it is the right solution or it is not.
Central Government should be able to review and understand the implications and take into account local concerns.
Namaste and Thank You for Reading.π





