FAQs
- up to 2042
- up to 2062
- up to 2122 and beyond
Project Overview
Project overview
As a low-lying coastal town, Weymouth is at risk of coastal flooding and erosion from the sea and flooding from surface water and the river. If a severe weather event takes place in Weymouth, thousands of homes and businesses could be flooded.
In accordance with climate change predictions (UKCP18), sea levels are rising, and extreme weather events will happen more often and may be more severe. It is predicted that in 100 years, the average sea level can be more than one metre higher than it is today. This means that all high tides and low tides will be one meter higher, too.
As part of the Weymouth Harbour and Esplanade FCERM Scheme, Dorset Council is working with Dorset Coast Forum, the Environment Agency, Wessex Water, BCP Council and WSP (engineering consultants), to develop an Outline Business Case (OBC).
An OBC is a document required by the UK Government Treasury when government funds are requested. The OBC will investigate costs and benefits of a range of options, then recommend the preferred options to improve Weymouth’s resilience to coastal flood and erosion risks.
This OBC project will build on earlier work carried out by Dorset Council and the Environment Agency exploring possible options for managing coastal flood and erosion risk in Weymouth. The earlier work recommended a phased approach to improve resilience in three stages:
The OBC being produced will apply for funding for the first phase of work to take the project up to 2042. It will prioritise sections of harbour walls that are currently lower, or close to the end of their design life, and sections identified along the esplanade which are at the most risk of erosion.
Managing impacts associated with any proposed improvements is a key consideration. These include minimising disruption as far as practicable to businesses, harbour operations, residents, and the community of Weymouth, and managing impacts on fisheries and the environment. As part of the project, we will also be delivering exciting new regeneration opportunities for Weymouth.Key Objectives
The key objectives for the scheme have been set to reflect the importance of delivering robust and sustainable infrastructure, whilst acknowledging the importance of the area for commercial business, future redevelopment opportunities and tourism purposes.
1. To manage the risk of flooding and coastal change to people, property, infrastructure and activities over the next 100 years.
2. To develop an understanding of future climate change impacts beyond the next 100-years, in order to provide time for the community to adapt to a changing climate, whilst recognising Dorset Council’s declared Climate and Ecological Emergency.
3. To provide a platform for future regeneration and growth of the town centre, Weymouth Harbour and the Esplanade, whilst ensuring construction minimises disruption to local residents, businesses and existing harbour and beach operations.
4. To provide the opportunity to enhance the public waterfront and recreational route around Weymouth Harbour and along the Esplanade.
5. To ensure the historic environment is protected, preserving where possible historic features and the heritage of the town.
6. To align with the policies set out in the Dorset Local Plan.
7. Deliver environmental enhancement and overall improvement in the quality of the natural environmental.
8. To identify solutions that efficiently minimises carbon emission impacts and make a positive contribution towards carbon emission reduction in support of Dorset Council’s Climate and Ecological Strategy targets for carbon reduction.Reducing flood risk in Weymouth
In addition to addressing coastal flood risk, we’ll also be investigation the other sources of flooding in Weymouth. These include:
Surface water flooding – Occurs when rainfall exceeds the capacity of drainage systems and when soil is unable to soak up water due to saturation.
River flooding – Occurs when the capacity of a river is exceeded due to heavy rain fall and can be aggravated by tidal lock.
Groundwater flooding - Occurs when the water table rises to the surface from infiltration from sources like surface water, tidal ingress, and leakages.
Sewer flooding – Occurs when sewers are blocked or overloaded.
We will also look at how coastal erosion can be managed.