ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT Non-technical Summary For illustration purposes only to give an indicative representation of the scheme.
Kirkcaldy Sea Wall Improvements Introduction A concrete sea wall fronts the Kirkcaldy Esplanade and pedestrian promenade. The sea wall was built in the 1920s and has been effective as a coastal protection structure. However, it is now in poor condition. There is a history of coastal flooding related problems in relation to wave overtopping of the sea wall. This affects the pedestrian promenade, Esplanade Road and residential/commercial sea front properties, with periodic closures during adverse conditions. Fife Council proposes to upgrade the sea wall, improve the Esplanade and public access points to the beach. The general location of the project is shown below. -1-
The key objectives of the project are to: To upgrade the Kirkcaldy sea wall to provide more durable and effective coastal protection, that will allow for future modification resulting from potential future flood risk from rising sea levels. To modernise and enhance the sea wall promenade to function as a public open space and to meet accessibility standards expected for all users. To reduce the costs associated with current maintenance of the existing sea wall. Environmental Impact Assessment The findings of the Environmental Impact Assessment for the project have been reported in the Kirkcaldy Sea Wall Improvements Environmental Statement. This Non-Technical Summary outlines the principal environmental impacts identified during the assessment and the proposed mitigation. Consultation Consultation on the project has been undertaken through a public meeting in Kirkcaldy in November 2012. Specific consultations have also been carried out with affected parties as well as environmental regulators. The purpose of the consultation exercise was to establish existing site conditions and assist in defining the key environmental issues associated with the project. Feedback from consultations has helped inform the design of the scheme and environmental protection measures. Alternatives Alternatives considered during the planning and design of the project comprise: encasement of the existing wall in concrete or pre-casting of new wall units off-site for subsequent installation; and the transport of material to site by sea or road. The process of selecting a preferred option was undertaken based upon an assessment of the merits of these options and the extent to which each fulfilled the project objectives and environmental acceptability. Existing Environment Kirkcaldy is a coastal town in Fife on the tidal estuary of the Firth of Forth curving around a sandy bay between the East Burn to the north and the Tiel Burn to the south. - 2 -
The local environmental context of the project is shown in Figure 4.2. The A921 Esplanade provides access along the coast but physically separates the town from the promenade, sea and shore. Local roads lead from the town to the A921. Public access is provided to the beach from the promenade which runs adjacent to the A921, and is separated by grassed verges interspersed with public car parks. There are a number of residential and commercial properties on the western edge of the A921 including flats and semi-detached houses, Lidl, Dunelm Mill, Kwik Fit, Kirkcaldy Indoor Market and the Mercat Shopping Centre. The Forth Estuary is a Natura 2000 site (the Firth of Forth Special Protection Area) designated because of its importance for wintering waders and wildfowl. The sea wall and sands below are located within this Natura 2000 site. Kirkcaldy Harbour lies at the northern end of the promenade and is included within the Kirkcaldy Harbour and Port Brae Conservation Area. The project area includes public open space along the promenade and the beach. The promenade also forms part of the Fife Coastal Path, a long distance route from Kincardine on the Forth Estuary to Newburgh on the Tay Estuary. The promenade showing the poor condition of the sea wall and paving. - 3 -
The promenade showing the adjacent car parking and grass verges. The Proposed Scheme The scheme is illustrated on Figures 5.2a to 5.2e Scheme Design General Arrangement. The works involve refurbishing the sea wall by installing new precast wall units from Tiel Burn at the southern end of the Kirkcaldy promenade to Williamson s Quay at the northern end of the promenade, a distance of approximately 1.8km. The height of the sea wall will be increased by 500mm. Rock revetment will also be installed on the beach on front of the sea wall to protect it from coastal erosion. The scheme also includes improving access to the beach area (with the provision of five ramps and two stepped accesses), replacing existing promenade viewing platforms, raising a section of the promenade by 250mm and resurfacing the promenade. Construction of the project is expected to be undertaken over a period of approximately 14 months, commencing in June 2013. Environmental Impacts and Mitigation The project and associated mitigation measures have been designed to minimise adverse environmental effects. Nonetheless some impacts would arise from the proposals, as summarised below: Landscape and visual The main landscape and visual impacts will be the raising of the sea wall, with some loss of the existing open aspect to the sea in some sections from the A921 Esplanade. The installation of the rock revetment will result in some loss of the sandy inter-tidal shore and the introduction of a significant new component in the landscape. The Fife Coastal Path which runs along the length of the promenade will be subject to some visual change as a result of the sea wall being raised. However, the height of the promenade and the existing viewing platforms will be increased by 250mm for - 4 -
the majority of the promenade length will this allow seaward views from the promenade to be retained for the majority of people. There will be beneficial effects on residents of Williamson s Quay, users of the Fife Coastal Path car park south and users of Kirkcaldy Sands due to the proposed improvements to the degraded seawall which will improve the existing view. The visual condition of the promenade will also be improved through resurfacing of the full length of the promenade and replacing the existing promenade viewing platforms. Refurbishment and/or replacement of existing lighting, seating and shelters will be considered as permitted development, to be agreed separately to the current planning application. Ecology The proposed scheme is located within the Firth of Forth Special Protection Area (SPA), Ramsar site and Site of Special Scientific Interest designated for its value to wintering birds. This is an extensive area covering a total of 6,314ha along the east coast of Scotland. Existing habitats affected by the proposed scheme are sand, shingle and boulders but these are commonplace and of no more than local ecological value. Birds are known to roost at two key locations on the stepped revetment at the northern and of the beach and at the mouth of the Tiel Burn to the south. The beach and existing stepped revetment. A very small proportion (approximately 0.026%) of the overall area of the Firth of Forth SPA will be taken to accommodate the new rock revetment. There will be some further disturbance to sand and shingle areas during the construction period however these areas will be reinstated following construction. Works will not be undertaken at the southern end of the sea wall between the beginning of November and the end of February so as to reduce the risk of disturbance of roosting birds. - 5 -
Community access Kirkcaldy promenade is used as an amenity route by pedestrians to enjoy the view out to the Firth of Forth. It forms part of the Fife Coastal Path. Existing access to the beach is via steps and ramps built into the sea wall along the promenade, as shown in the images below. Examples of the existing beach access. Parts of the promenade sea wall, surfacing and street furniture are currently in a poor condition. The current sea wall has a history of coastal flooding related problems resulting from wave overtopping. This affects the pedestrian promenade, the A921 Esplanade Road and residential/commercial sea front properties, with periodic closures during adverse conditions. Sea spray is a frequent hazard for pedestrians on the promenade. The promenade (and access steps/ramps) will be closed in sections to pedestrians and other users from the start of construction work in late June 2013 to July 2014. Signposting will direct users to a safe alternative diversion. An initial 250m length of promenade starting at the southern end will be closed and fenced off. As construction works progress, sections of the promenade will be reopened where it is safe to do so. Sections of beach where works are taking place will be closed as required for public safety reasons. Warning signs will be erected on the beach and a banksman will be at the work area during beach working hours to speak to any members of the public. Construction works during 2014 will be managed by phasing activities such that the Links Market can still take place. - 6 -
Illustrative example of a beach access ramp design. Upon completion of the scheme users of the promenade will benefit from reduced overtopping of the sea wall and reduced sea spray hazards. They will also benefit from the improved condition of the promenade and improved access to the beach via new beach access ramps and steps. Noise There will be elevated noise during the construction period. However, this will be localised and intermittent as construction activities take place across the linear working area. Normal working hours are 07.00 and 19.00 Monday to Friday and 08.00 and 13.00 on Saturdays. If an extension of working hours is necessary this will be agreed with Fife Council Public & Environmental Protection Team prior to work commencing. All construction activities will be undertaken in accordance with standard good site working practices to minimise noise disturbance or nuisance and noise monitoring will be undertaken during the works. The Contractor will be responsible for community liaison, and will provide a contact name where any noise issues/complaints can be directed. Summary Although there will be some localised environmental impacts associated with the Kirkcaldy Sea Wall Improvements, the completed scheme will provide a more durable and effective coastal protection. It will reduce the risk of coastal flooding affecting the pedestrian promenade, the A921 Esplanade Road and residential/commercial sea front properties. It will reduce spray overtopping the sea wall which is currently a frequent hazard for pedestrians on the promenade and has resulted in its closure. The completed scheme will also modernise and enhance the sea wall promenade to function as a public open space and meet accessibility standards expected for all users. - 7 -
A full copy of the Environmental Statement is available for public viewing, free of charge, at the following address during normal office hours and also on the Fife Council website (www.fifedirect.org.uk). Fife Council Kingdom House Kingdom Avenue Glenrothes KY7 5LY Printed copies of the Environmental Statement may be obtained, on written request, from the above address at a charge of 80. A CD is available for 5. Hard copies of the Non-Technical Summary are available free of charge. Any person wishing to comment on the Environmental Statement should write to the above address. Written responses are invited within 28 days of the advertised date of publication of the Environmental Statement. - 8 -