Cornwall’s beautiful coastline is an asset of significant cultural and economic value to our residents, local communities and visitors. The Cornish coast is a dynamic system, affected by the movement of waves, tides, wind and sediment. Several organisations are responsible for managing Cornwall’s 422 miles of coastline. The Environment Agency is the lead body for protecting our coastline from flooding. Local authorities, acting as the coast protection authority, lead on managing coastal erosion risk. Coast protection authorities work under the overview of the EA.
| Organisation | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
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Cornwall Council |
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Environment Agency |
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As a coastal risk management authority, the Council has permissive powers to protect the coast from erosion and encroachment by the sea. These powers come from the Coast Protection Act 1949. The Act requires the Council to inspect and maintain coast protection structures in its ownership. These inspections aim to prevent erosion and damage, in the interests of public safety.
The legislation does not make it a statutory requirement to defend the coast. But, most coastal councils choose to be active in coast protection.
If you notice damage to a coastal structure, you can report it on our interactive map:
Report damage to a coastal structure using the interactive map