Here’s where we’ll try and answer your Frequently Asked Questions…

What is an intertidal zone?

This is the space between the high tide and the low tide. The area that belongs to the sea but which is not always covered by water. On the Gwent and Somerset Levels this is the large expanse of mud visible at low tide beyond the sea wall. In the Sundarbans it is a similar stretch of mud but this area is creeping inland as the sea levels rise and coastal erosion increases.

Why are these lighthouses here?

The lighthouses mark a point on the possible future shoreline. In Langport this is many miles from the current shore, but in an area that is still subject to tidal flooding. In Newport, the lighthouse is on a “reclaimed” area of land that has been water in the past and is currently defended by a seawall. The lighthouses are there to help us start a conversation about change and adaptation as sea levels rise and our shoreline shifts inland. We encourage you to find your own routes from them to the sea.

How does the Lighthouse work?

The lighthouses are solar powered, via solar panels and a battery for storage. Each lighthouse has a wifi receiver inside and they are connected via the internet to GLOSS, a tidal data collection platform that collects live data from tidal buoys all around the world. In Newport we are receiving data from a tidal buoy located in Chittagong, in the Southeastern part of the Bay of Bengal – this is the closest tidal buoy to our twin community on Sagar island. When the tide is rising in Chittagong, our lighthouse flashes. In Langport, the tidal buoy receives data from Hinkley, the closest area of coastline, where the tidal movement can have a direct impact on the inland village. When the tide is rising in Hinkley, the village receives a warning light that the river will be rising soon.

When is this area going to flood?

We don’t know! It’s very difficult to say exactly when and exactly how high, but what we do know is that we will need to adapt in the future to more storm surges, higher tides, and ultimately the loss of some of the land we currently live and work on. You can find information on your own local flood risk here and the plans in place for the Severn Estuary here

Where is the Bay of Bengal and the Sundarbans?

The Bay of Bengal is in the Northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, bordered by India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. The Sundarbans is an estuarial area of mangrove covered islands, located in West Bengal and Southeastern Bangladesh. The delta protects Kolkata and Dhaka from flooding, but is under enormous pressure from rising sea levels, coastal erosion and more intensive cyclones. We have been working with a community on Sagar Island, in the Western part of the Sundarbans, 100km south of Kolkata. You might be interested in this article about Sagar – it is an island that houses many refugees who have fled other islands that have already disappeared due to sea level rise . One of the reasons why the area suffers so badly from flooding is because of deforestation of the mangroves by the British East India company – ironically to build boats. There are various schemes now being undertaken to replant the trees but time is short to save the islands.

What happened on the walks?

The walks were shared experiences where we took a journey together on foot to see the landscape in more detail. Along the way we chatted and enjoyed some simple creative and reflective activities and stories with no pressure to say or do anything, anyone could just walk and listen if they wished. After the walks, we collected photographs and documented the conversations and routes in a series of maps, which you can find in our Guidebooks (and a few examples on this site).

How much do I have to pay to take part?

All our activities are free of charge, thanks to funding from Arts Council Wales and Wales Arts International, and the generous support of our partner organisations.

How do I find out about events?

Email futurewalescoast@gmail.com to sign up to our mailing list. You can also follow us on twitter, facebook, or instagram via @futurecoastpath. And check out the Events page on this site!

How do I get to the Lighthouses?

We hope you’ll consider travelling by public transport.

Newport Wetlands can be accessed by request bus from Newport or by bike from Severn Tunnel Junction, Newport, or anywhere on cycle route 4. More info on travelling there is available here

Langport can be accessed via a number of “slow ways” – why not try biking or walking there?

GOT A QUESTION WE HAVEN’T ANSWERED HERE? Email us…. futurewalescoast@gmail.com