Pagham fears birds being put before flood defences

A PUBLIC meeting is to be held about fears that birds are being put first along an eroding section of Pagham beach.

The meeting will be arranged by Pagham Parish Council this summer. It will aim to present the facts about the measures needed to protect the vulnerable coastline from flooding.

Concerns have been expressed that wildlife in Pagham Harbour nature reserve is being given precedence over moves to build up the eroding shoreline.

Parish council chairman Cllr Ray Radmall has written to West Sussex County Council to know why a large shingle bank off Pagham Harbour has been fenced off.

The protected area extends some fencing last year which led to little terns doing well there.

But the growing shingle bank is being seen as an ideal source of material to replenish the beach along East and West Front Roads.

Cllr Radmall said it was feared the fencing could rule out that idea.

The calls for a public meeting arose from the recent annual meeting of the Pagham Beach Residents' Association.