NEW data released by Ordnance Survey (OS) could significantly improve how coastal erosion and flood risk are monitored across Great Britain as sea levels rise and extreme rainfall becomes more frequent.

The continuous tidelines dataset provides a clearer and more accurate picture of where high and low tides fall around the coast and along tidal rivers. The data is expected to support environmental monitoring, flood modelling, and long-term planning as the impacts of climate change accelerate.

Earlier this year, the Environment Agency updated its National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA), which for the first time factored in projected climate change impacts. The assessment found that around 6.3 million homes and businesses in England — roughly one in five — are currently at risk of flooding. That figure could rise to one in four properties by 2050.

The Agency has also updated its national coastal erosion risk map, which estimates that around 3,500 properties could be affected by coastal erosion by 2055.

The new OS dataset builds on existing information held in the OS National Geographic Database (OS NGD). Previously separate tidal boundary features have now been automatically merged into continuous high- and low-tide lines, creating two new feature types within the OS NGD Water theme. These can also be used as overlay layers through the OS Tiles API, allowing for clearer visual mapping and large-scale analysis.

The data is expected to support a wide range of environmental and regulatory work, including coastal erosion and flooding modelling, updating boundary features to reflect coastal change, climate change impact assessments, and identifying areas of foreshore that act as natural flood defences.

William Russell, Senior Coastal Process Scientist at the Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre, said the dataset would remove uncertainty from coastal monitoring.

“One of our core values is ‘data, not opinions’. When information is missing, we seek out or collect the data needed to support sound decision-making,” he said.
“The OS Continuous Tidal Boundaries dataset removes uncertainty from our strategic monitoring programme and gives us clearer insight into intertidal extents, delivering cost savings and efficiencies for our survey contractors.”

Ordnance Survey says the data is particularly valuable for environmental policy and regulation, including decisions around water discharge and flood management. Accurately defining the intertidal zone helps identify natural coastal defences, which play a vital role in protecting communities and ecosystems.

Intertidal information has also been enhanced within the Land theme of the OS NGD, with improved coverage of previously obscured areas to create a more complete national coastal dataset.

Lily Brown, Product Manager at Ordnance Survey, said the data would support evidence-based decision-making.

“The OS National Geographic Database contains trusted, accurate features that support everything from climate resilience and infrastructure planning to coastal management,” she said.
“By incorporating authoritative tideline data, we are enabling decisions that will help protect and monitor Britain’s evolving coastlines.”

Following the dataset’s release, Ordnance Survey analysed how ceremonial counties change in size between high and low tide. Merseyside showed the greatest variation, with a nearly 17% difference, followed by Orkney at around 7%.

The analysis also highlighted that counties considered landlocked, such as Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire, still experience significant tidal influence due to rivers like the Trent and the Don being tidal far inland.

When combined with Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs), the tideline data shows that Greater London has the highest number of homes and businesses within 15 metres of the high-tide line, at around 5,500. Cornwall ranks second with just over 3,000 properties, followed by Devon with around 2,400.

The new data has been released under the Public Sector Geospatial Agreement (PSGA), which provides emergency services and public sector organisations with access to Ordnance Survey data and services.

THREE prisoners have denied murdering child killer Kyle Bevan, who was found dead in his cell at HMP Wakefield.

Bevan, aged 33, was serving a minimum sentence of 28 years after being convicted of murdering his partner’s two-year-old daughter, Lola James, in Haverfordwest in 2020.

The defendants, Lee Newell, 56, and a second man who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Leeds Crown Court via video link, where they entered not guilty pleas to a charge of murder.

A third accused, Mark Fellows, 45, did not attend the hearing, but his barrister told the court that he also denies the offence. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

Judge Guy Kearl KC said the case would proceed to trial, which is expected to last up to four weeks and is scheduled to begin in June.

Bevan was jailed in 2023 after a jury found him guilty of killing Lola James following a prolonged assault lasting several hours. The toddler suffered catastrophic head injuries, which doctors said were comparable to those typically seen in high-speed road traffic collisions.

Medical evidence presented at Bevan’s trial detailed 101 separate injuries, including extensive bruising and scratches, with indications that weapons had been used during the attack.

The court previously heard that Bevan, described as a prolific drug user, had moved into the family home within days of making contact with Lola’s mother, Sinead James, via Facebook.

Bevan, originally from Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, had denied murdering the child but was convicted following a trial at Swansea Crown Court.

Capacity crowd enjoys Britten masterpiece and light-hearted carols

A CAPACITY audience packed into St Davids Cathedral on Sunday (Dec 14) for the annual Christmas Spectacular, with hundreds filling the nave for one of the Cathedral’s most anticipated events of the year.

The evening opened with a serious and striking performance of Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, delivered by the Cathedral Choir and accompanied by harpist Bethan Semmens. Choristers took on a series of demanding solos, earning warm applause from the audience.

Festive second half

The tone shifted after the interval as the Cathedral Choir and Vox Angelica returned for a lively programme of carols, Christmas favourites and crowd singalongs. The highlight of the evening was a colourful and humorous rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas by the Vicars Choral and Choral Scholars, which had the audience laughing throughout.

Team effort behind the scenes

The event was led by Director of Music Laurence John, with Assistant Director of Music Ben Richards and music team member Arwel Davies supporting the performance. The Cathedral also thanked backstage staff and volunteers for helping to deliver a smooth and memorable evening.

The Christmas Spectacular is now a fixture of the Cathedral’s festive season and continues to draw large crowds, with Sunday’s concert selling out well in advance.