Evening Press correspondent

FLOODING on Scarborough's seafront caused by global warming in the next century could cost the town £100 million, experts have warned.

Now, £644,000 is set to be spent to improve flood defences in Foreshore Road, following a re-think by borough council engineers and consultants Rendel Geotechnic on a scheme to build a 1.2 metre-high sea wall which was rejected by the council earlier this year because of fears it would spoil the character of the traditional seafront.

Derek Rowell, the council's technical services director, says in a report to the environmental health and control committee that six options have been considered because of the predicted rise in sea level estimated to be at the rate of between four and six millimetres a year due to global warming in the 21st century.

A 'do nothing' option has been ruled out, Mr Rowell warning that in time the Foreshore could be forced to close because of sand being washed on to the road during floods or blown off the beach. "This option is untenable because losses could be in the order of £50 million to £100 million to the local economy."

Lowering the level of the South Bay beach has also been ruled out because 50,000 tons of sand would need to be removed every year and there would not be the demand for it from builders. If it was dumped at sea it could lead to sedimentation problems in the harbour, warned Mr Rowell.

The building of an off-shore breakwater, first suggested in 1834 by Sir John Rennie, has again been investigated but it would have a dramatic impact on the appearance of the South Bay.

Improving road drainage would help to minimise the water which does wash over the sea wall.

Mr Rowell said that in view of the council rejecting the preferred option of building an additional sea wall, he is recommending a 'do minimum' scheme until the major report on the coastal defence strategy between Holbeck Cliffs and Scalby Mills is completed.

Councillors are being urged to back the reduction in beach levels next to the sea wall, to minimise blown sand levels and wave 'uprush' when the sea breaks against the wall, issue flood warnings, use sandbags, close the seafront at times of high flood risk, and to clean up sand and debris after floods on the roadway.

Mr Rowell said the Inter-Government Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) forecasts a rise in global sea level of about 20cm by the year 2030 and 65cm by 2100. The area at risk of flooding on the seafront included 31 commercial properties.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is being asked to grant the new scheme.

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