The Future Plan
We as a group are very conscious that if the village and the vital infrastructure that surrounds it is to survive for the long term and for future generations, then it is imperative that a plan is put into place that will cover the next 100 years or so. It should be noted that this has already been achieved with the coastal defences that were put into place in the late 1800s by the Victorians to protect Dunrobin Castle.
We are however, much more aware of our human footprint these days and the impact that we have on our environment and it is imperative that we work with, not against the power of Mother Nature. We do not under-estimate the enormity of the task, and fully realise that this plan will take many years to create, fund and implement but with the support of our community Golspie Flood Action group is absolutely committed to working with all parties to see this come to fruition. As a starting point, we have drawn up a basic strategy below to achieve this:
Protect the Village, Protect the A9, Protect the Future
ASSUMPTIONS
- Sea level rise is set to accelerate over the coming decades, we can expect to see more coastal flooding, erosion and coastline retreat.
- Prevailing winds of force 5 or greater are reported around 60% of the time in the east of the United Kingdom. Anecdotally, Golspie is getting more easterly winds which will drive the sea onto the coast.
- Most climate projections indicate that winter windstorms will increase in number and intensity over the UK i.e. more winter storms, including disproportionately more severe storms, are projected to cross the UK.
ASSUMPTIONS
- Sea level rise is set to accelerate over the coming decades, we can expect to see more coastal flooding, erosion and coastline retreat. Marine Scotland estimates average predicted sea level rise at 1.5-2cm per decade for this area, which would be approximately 16cm higher by 2100. But if global warming continues at the current rate, we could see a sea level rise of up to 80cm by the end of the century.
- Prevailing winds of force 5 or greater are reported around 60% of the time in the east of the United Kingdom. Anecdotally, Golspie is getting more easterly winds which will drive the sea onto the coast.
- Most climate projections indicate that winter storms will increase in number and intensity over the UK i.e. more winter storms, including disproportionately more severe storms, are projected to cross the UK.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER
Golspie could be considered the ‘Gateway to the North’ as it is situated at the bottom of Ben Bhraggie hill along one side and the sea and coastline on the opposite side, sandwiched between the two.
The village sits on key terrain with the vital A9 trunk road and the main ‘Far North Railway line’ operated by Scotrail running straight through it. There is no feasible or affordable alternative route for the A9, so it will be more cost effective to defend the Golspie section of coastline in the long term, than re-route the trunk road.
AIMS
The main aim must be to safeguard national and regional infrastructure so that the north of Scotland remains accessible.
FUNDING
This will need to be substantial and thus all revenue streams need to be explored not just from government but also from other sectors such as lottery, enterprises, crowdfunding and private benefactors.
© Golspie Flood Action Group 2024