Urgent study into impact of erosion on coast

St Andrews and Montrose Bay are to be the focus of a major research programme into coastal erosion.

The two sites will be monitored as part of the latest phase of the Dynamic Coast project, which will identify links between erosion and flooding.

It comes after predictions that climate change could damage nearly a fifth of Scotland’s coastline.

Dynamic Coast’s principal investigator, Professor Jim Hansom, said the issue was of pressing importance to people living and working close to the sea.

“We are now facing decades of future sea level rise and increasing erosion and flooding at the coast, so we need to better understand the increased risk posed by climate change to coastal assets and communities,” he said.

“We need to know whether to adapt, defend or move those coastal assets.

“Failure to act now will lead to enhanced costs and impacts later.”

The research, led by the Scottish Government and Scottish Natural Heritage, will be carried out by Glasgow University, with funding from CREW (Centre for Expertise in Water).

It will focus on a series of sites, including the two in Fife and Angus, as well as Skara Brae in Orkney.

Researchers will work with bodies such as local councils, Sepa and Historic Environment Scotland.