Managed Realignment

Managed realignment is a means of allowing sea water to flood low lying areas (usually by removing the sea wall) with the aim of protecting the coastline, reducing the potential of flooding in other areas and also creating new habitat.

In 1999 the Forum coordinated a project with Geowise and Glasgow University to look at the options for managed realignment on the Forth. A series of possible sites was identified in what was the first Scottish study of this type.

Further work was carried out on the feasibility of managed realignment at Skinflats near Falkirk in 2003. The study concluded that realignment could reduce flood risk locally but not for the wider estuary. However valuable saltmarsh and habitat creation could be created. The RSPB owns a reserve at Skinflats and is currently investingting the potential for a small scale managed realignment project, which will seek to create saltmarsh and saline lagoons on RSPB owned land.

For more information, please contact: Toby Wilson, Conservation Officer (Central Scotland), RSPB Scotland, Tel: 0141 331 9096, Email: toby.wilson@rspb.org.uk



Forth Estuary Forum - promoting the wise and sustainable use of the Forth