Maldon is among 20 local authorities where properties are at risk of being lost to sea level rise, according to a study due to be published tomorrow (June 16).

The study is led by Paul Sayers, an expert on flood and coastal risks, affiliated with the Tyndall Centre at the University of East Anglia.

He predicts that mean sea levels around England will be around 35cm higher by 2050 than their historical level and will continue to rise as increasing global temperatures melts glaciers and ice caps and causes ocean waters to expand as they warm.

Councillor Penny Channer, Leader of Maldon District Council, said the Council's Climate Action Strategy 'Our Home, Our Future' makes a "strong commitment to improving flood resilience".

"As the local authority we are acutely aware of the risk of increased flooding in the District due to climate change.

"We are dependent on the lead flood authority Essex County Council, and the Environment Agency in supporting flood risk assessments and urge them to prioritise investment in flood defences and alleviation schemes in the District of Maldon."

The types of areas most at risk from sea level rise include:

• Single communities which contain a large number of properties, but the complexity of the shoreline and floodplain means that the cost of maintaining defences is so large that it can't be justified.
• Communities containing dispersed clusters of properties on a long floodplain.
• A narrow floodplain, with properties on, constrained between the shoreline and raising ground - often roads and railways run along these areas
• Small quay and coastal harbours communities, low lying properties squeezed between a rising ground and harbour quay walls

Paul Sayers said: "Significant sea level rise is now inevitable. For many of our larger cities at the coast protection will continue to be provided, but for some coastal communities this may not be possible. 

"We need a serious national debate about the scale of the threat to these communities and what represents a fair and sustainable response, including how to help people to relocate."

A public meeting to discuss the status of the River Chelmer and Blackwater Estuary will be held at Maldon Town Hall on July 25, with guests including local MP John Whittingdale and musician Feargal Sharkey expected to attend.

For further information about the study, visit the Tyndall Centre's website.

Read Maldon District Council's 'Our Home, Our Future' Climate Action Strategy here.

Check Maldon Nub News tomorrow (June 16) for the full story, once the study is published.