Extent of erosion at beach is illustrated in graphic detail

The extent of coastal erosion at a Montrose beach since the 1950s has been highlighted in a hard-hitting presentation.

Mark Davidson of Angus Council, spoke to members of the Glaxosmithkline Retired Staff Association in the Links Hotel.

Mary Gould, committee member, said the presentation highlighted how much had changed and the “large amount of money” required to tackle the issue.

She said: “The slides from 1957 showed how popular Montrose beach was at that time with hundreds of people of all ages using the beach for donkey rides, building sand castles and bathing.

“In front of the beach pavilion, rides on the miniature cars and buses were extremely popular.

“Back then access to the beach was very easy with just a few steps required to get down to the sand.

“Over the years these steps have been added to twice.

“Nowadays very few people are able to access the beach as the sand level has dropped considerably.”

The slides showed that over the years the sand dunes have been washed away in various areas.

Montrose is one of seven special sites across Scotland being looked at under a dynamic coast project.

A projected £20 million scheme of dune replacement and replenishment to protect the shoreline and golf links is being considered.

The North Sea has crept 70 metres closer to Montrose Links in the past 30 years. The championship course in the town has already been altered to take account of storm surges and rising sea levels.

Picture: Paul Reid. Coastal erosion at Montrose.