Fylde Council launches Saltmarsh Research Project to protect coastline

Fylde Council is pleased to announce the launch of a new project aimed at protecting the Fylde Coast’s valuable saltmarsh habitats.

The Our Future Coast programme is one of 25 pioneering projects selected for funding as part of a £150 million Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation programme. The program aims to enhance the effectiveness of natural coastal habitats to strengthen coastal and flood defences.

The Fylde Saltmarsh project, which has received £106,190 in funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), will investigate how saltmarshes can be used to bolster existing coastal defences and reduce flood risk.

The Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture at Fylde Council, Councillor Jayne Nixon said: “Our saltmarshes are a vital part of our natural heritage and a valuable asset in protecting our coastline.

“This project will help us to better understand the benefits of saltmarshes and how we can use them to safeguard our communities.”

“This will aid the development of sustainable coastal management strategies, which includes ensuring that beaches of high cultural and tourism value, such as St. Annes Amenity Beach, remain a high priority “.

The project will also involve public engagement and education initiatives to raise awareness of the importance of saltmarshes and their role in coastal protection.

Fylde Council will lead the Our Future Coast Saltmarsh Project in partnership with Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Wyre Council who host the Our Future Coast Management Team, co-ordinating the programme of 14 projects across the Northwest as part of the Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme.

Our Future Coast Programme Manager, Bea Beggs said: “We are delighted to support Fylde Council with the important measures they are taking to protect the community of Fylde now and into the future. Climate change demands we all become diverse in our approaches to coastal flooding and erosion and working together as a full set of coastal risk management authorities is key to this”.

Day-to-day project delivery will be undertaken by a Saltmarsh Officer, who will co-ordinate an agreed programme of work until 2027.

Project milestones will include the research and survey of Fylde’s saltmarshes; understanding how saltmarshes perform as a nature-based solution to flood risk management; and how they can be used as a hybrid approach to extend the life of hard sea defences.

The project will also include small-scale pilot saltmarsh habitat creation and management in Granny’s Bay; raising the profile of Fylde’s saltmarshes and importance of saltmarsh habitats; environmental education with schools; recruitment and engagement of volunteers; and the delivery of public events.

By investing in saltmarsh restoration and conservation, Fylde Council is taking a proactive approach to climate change and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our coastline.