The latest chapter of bi-annual beach management work helping to protect more than 3,000 homes and businesses from flooding starts next week.
Contractors will begin recycling and regrading shingle along the five-mile stretch of coast between Fisherman’s Beach in Hythe and Folkestone Harbour on Monday 4 November – a process that takes up to eight weeks to complete. This approach is currently the most cost-effective way of protecting the district and offers far superior protection than the old timber groynes.
Cllr Stephen Scoffham – Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Biodiversity – said:
“This important task, which will see 142,000 tonnes of shingle moved on this occasion, is carried out twice a year and helps shield the sea wall.
“It’s all about further reducing the possibility of flooding and coastal erosion and, ultimately, protecting our residents.”
Shingle is moved from east to west to allow the longshore drift to naturally spread it to aid the prevention of overtopping during storm events. Any disruption will be kept to a minimum – no work will be carried out between Christmas and the New Year.