Montrose Coastal Erosion Project

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Montrose Coastal Erosion


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Background

The dunes along the Montrose Golf Links are a natural coastal flood barrier to the town.

In recent years, however, the dunes have eroded significantly. The rate of future erosion is now predicted to be higher than previously anticipated.

With a predicted rise in sea levels and increasingly intensive storms, future erosion could open up flood corridors through gaps in the dunes. This could result in flooding to low-lying areas on and around the golf course.

Monitoring erosion

We have been working with technical experts to:

  • monitor erosion rates
  • develop long and short-term erosion management strategies

Dynamic Coast and the University of Glasgow have measured changes in the dunes, and used modelling to predict future shoreline changes.

They will continue to monitor and update their predictions for the rate of future erosion.

Long term strategy

Phase 1 – Dune restoration and beach nourishment

This would be done by importing sediment to reform the dunes and restore beach levels. This will retain defence levels and reduce the risk of further erosion.

Phase 2 – Beach recharge

Some imported sediment will be lost, so the long-term plan will be to “top up” the material. Work will continue until the beach has re-nourished and gives some natural protection from the forces causing erosion.

Potential sites from where sand (dredged material) can be sourced are currently being explored and the environmental risks assessed using Environmental Options Appraisals. The feasibility of transporting material is also being investigated.

Managing erosion in the short-term

Sourcing, transporting and placing the sediment will take time. As will obtaining funding for the long-term proposals.

In the meantime, work to prevent further erosion in the most vulnerable locations of the dunes in the short-term, is being progressed.

This includes the construction of two rock groynes. Rock groynes are rock armour structures that reduce the movement of sand on the beach, encouraging beach nourishment.

Additional short-term works are now being investigated to provide direct dune defenses, including specially engineered large sand bags.

Why dune restoration?

The shoreline along the links is subject to high wave energy. This is likely to undermine any fixed hard engineered solutions. Piled solutions would be extremely costly.

Installations such as gabion baskets have a limited life due to corrosion. They also need continual maintenance.

Restoring the dunes and beach with imported sand will enhance the beach volumes. and over time distribute sand across the bay. Raising the level of the beach will increase the dissipative properties of the intertidal area, acting to absorb more wave energy. Building the beach will protect the dunes.

Funding

Angus Council have secured £440,000 from the Scottish Government's Coastal Change Adaption Fund. This will fund the short-term erosion management measures and the development of the long-term erosion management strategy.

A business case is being developed to support an application for further funding of the long-term erosion management strategy.

Key project partners

  • Montrose Golf Links
  • Montrose Port Authority
  • Marine Directorate
  • NatureScot
  • Dynamic Coast
  • SEPA

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

EIAs help planning authorities assess the environmental impact of proposals. EIAs can be costly and time consuming due to the detail required for the surveys and assessment.

The EIA screening process has found that this project does not require an EIA. It will, however, need full planning permission and a relevant marine licence.



Sign up to follow this project and get regular updates as work progresses.

Background

The dunes along the Montrose Golf Links are a natural coastal flood barrier to the town.

In recent years, however, the dunes have eroded significantly. The rate of future erosion is now predicted to be higher than previously anticipated.

With a predicted rise in sea levels and increasingly intensive storms, future erosion could open up flood corridors through gaps in the dunes. This could result in flooding to low-lying areas on and around the golf course.

Monitoring erosion

We have been working with technical experts to:

  • monitor erosion rates
  • develop long and short-term erosion management strategies

Dynamic Coast and the University of Glasgow have measured changes in the dunes, and used modelling to predict future shoreline changes.

They will continue to monitor and update their predictions for the rate of future erosion.

Long term strategy

Phase 1 – Dune restoration and beach nourishment

This would be done by importing sediment to reform the dunes and restore beach levels. This will retain defence levels and reduce the risk of further erosion.

Phase 2 – Beach recharge

Some imported sediment will be lost, so the long-term plan will be to “top up” the material. Work will continue until the beach has re-nourished and gives some natural protection from the forces causing erosion.

Potential sites from where sand (dredged material) can be sourced are currently being explored and the environmental risks assessed using Environmental Options Appraisals. The feasibility of transporting material is also being investigated.

Managing erosion in the short-term

Sourcing, transporting and placing the sediment will take time. As will obtaining funding for the long-term proposals.

In the meantime, work to prevent further erosion in the most vulnerable locations of the dunes in the short-term, is being progressed.

This includes the construction of two rock groynes. Rock groynes are rock armour structures that reduce the movement of sand on the beach, encouraging beach nourishment.

Additional short-term works are now being investigated to provide direct dune defenses, including specially engineered large sand bags.

Why dune restoration?

The shoreline along the links is subject to high wave energy. This is likely to undermine any fixed hard engineered solutions. Piled solutions would be extremely costly.

Installations such as gabion baskets have a limited life due to corrosion. They also need continual maintenance.

Restoring the dunes and beach with imported sand will enhance the beach volumes. and over time distribute sand across the bay. Raising the level of the beach will increase the dissipative properties of the intertidal area, acting to absorb more wave energy. Building the beach will protect the dunes.

Funding

Angus Council have secured £440,000 from the Scottish Government's Coastal Change Adaption Fund. This will fund the short-term erosion management measures and the development of the long-term erosion management strategy.

A business case is being developed to support an application for further funding of the long-term erosion management strategy.

Key project partners

  • Montrose Golf Links
  • Montrose Port Authority
  • Marine Directorate
  • NatureScot
  • Dynamic Coast
  • SEPA

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

EIAs help planning authorities assess the environmental impact of proposals. EIAs can be costly and time consuming due to the detail required for the surveys and assessment.

The EIA screening process has found that this project does not require an EIA. It will, however, need full planning permission and a relevant marine licence.


  • October 2024 update

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    Ongoing work at Montrose dunes

    Immediate work, as part of the wider Montrose Coastal Erosion Project, continues with the reprofiling of the existing rock armour at the 2nd tee of the Montrose Golf Links carried out in October.

    The rock armour was being overtopped by waves and had been sinking below the beach level, which meant it was no longer providing the erosion protection it was intended for. And so, the rock armour was moved closer to the dune face and reprofiled in a programme of work that was funded by the Montrose Common Good Fund and the golf club.

    Plans to construct two rock groynes on Montrose beach to encourage beach nourishment will now take place in 2025 and not before the end of this year as originally intended. This is due to design requirements, consenting processes, and restrictions on working hours and associated construction costs during winter.

    Shorter-term options have been investigated - focussing on the most vulnerable points in the dunes, at the ‘pipey’ and directly north and south of the ‘pipey’. We will now infill the low points in these locations with large specially engineered sandbags. This work, which will be carried out in November, will help prevent further erosion at these locations and support the dunes until the long-term proposals can be put in place.

    With regards to long-term proposals, the Business Case to support a funding application for the project is well underway and should be completed in early 2025. As part of this, a new Digital Elevation Model has been developed based on the latest topographical data. This is being used to determine the changes in the dunes and allow more accurate predictions of the rates of erosion to be established.