These areas of Cornwall could be underwater by 2030

The research was carried out by an independent organisation of leading scientists and journalists, collectively known as Climate Central, who investigate climate change and its impact on the public.

Using current projections, they have produced a map showing which areas of the country would be submerged by 2030.

Cornwall locations at risk from rising sea levels

Much of Cornwall's coastline could be at risk from rising sea levels. Picture: Climate Central

The Climate Central map shows there are very few sections of Cornwall coastline not at risk of losing at least some land to the sea.

Falmouth seaside spots such as Gyllyngvase Beach, Castle Beach and Swanpool Beach are all threatened by rising sea levels, along with both Falmouth Town and Falmouth Docks railway stations.

In Helston, a section of the A394, Fairground Car Park and areas surrounding Coronation Park Boating Lake could all see themselves submerged according to the map.

Areas close to the River Camel and its tributaries appear in the 'red zone' on the map. Picture: Climate Central

Elsewhere in Cornwall, Bude, Longrock, Perranporth and Par are all locations showing large swathes of land in the red zone, along with towns and villages close to the River Camel and its tributaries.

Datasets include "some error"

Climate Central does admit the calculations that have led to fears of a nightmare scenario include "some error".

It says: "These maps incorporate big datasets, which always include some error. These maps should be regarded as screening tools to identify places that may require deeper investigation of risk."

The maps have been based on "global-scale datasets for elevation, tides and coastal flood likelihoods" and "imperfect data is used".

Somewhat comfortingly, Climate Central adds: "Our approach makes it easy to map any scenario quickly and reflects threats from permanent future sea-level rise well.

"However, the accuracy of these maps drops when assessing risks from extreme flood events.

"Our maps are not based on physical storm and flood simulations and do not take into account factors such as erosion, future changes in the frequency or intensity of storms, inland flooding, or contributions from rainfall or rivers."

But it adds: "Improved elevation data indicate far greater global threats from sea level rise and coastal flooding than previously thought, and thus greater benefits from reducing their causes."