Moray Council approves coastal protection works for Kingston
A 500mm high shingle bank is being built by Moray Council in a bid to reduce flood erosions in Kingston.
The ridge with naturally sloping sides will run from the west side of Lein Car Park to the east end of the green space, tying back into the main shingle ridge at the lagoon.
Erosion threatens the car park and has exposed demolition material from a former precast concrete works, which is spilling onto the beach causing safety concerns. The debris is swirling into a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and there are concerns it will have a detrimental effect.
The local authority has bid for funding from the Scottish Government Coastal Change Adaptation Fund to cover the cost of the shingle bank works.
Kingston is the first area investigated as part of the Council’s wider Coastal Adaptation Plan, which is being developed for the Moray coastline and, when finished, will include a regional plan alongside 11 local plans.
The completed Coastal Adaptation Plan is expected to be completed by March. It will be submitted for elected members consideration at the Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee on 30 April.
The Council is to hold a community engagement session and dates are being explored.
Chair of the Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, Cllr Marc Macrae, said:
”Completion of the Moray-wide Coastal Adaptation Plan will be a welcome opportunity to highlight those areas where there is risk and the trigger points at which action may be taken.
“I’m pleased the Committee has approved this recommendation for the Kingston works in the meantime and I look forward to meeting with the community soon at the engagement session.”