Most of you will know that the second phase of this year’s beach replenishment was successfully completed last Thursday, adding a further 9,000cu.m of shingle to Beachlands and 2,000cu.m to the Sovereign Harbour scour hole. Despite undertaking 2003 work in what are normally considered less favourable times of the year (April & September) both were concluded with minimum delays. Having said that, there would have been no delays at any time this summer, so good was the weather.
In order to complete preparations for the coming winter, we have now started a recycle campaign. This week we will be moving shingle from Cooden to between the Herbrand Walk fishing station and level crossing. Next week it will be the turn of Normans Bay East to receive material from between the Wallers Haven and East Stream.
After that a little extra work will be done at Beachlands followed by the movement of shingle from west of the Sovereign Harbour Martello tower into the Sovereign Harbour scour hole.
The Beachlands work will involve moving some shingle from west to east for the first time. This is something we prefer to avoid, since it is what nature does naturally most of the time. However, as Coast Road residents are aware, an enormous amount of shingle has built up between Pebble Road and 290 Coast Road. The beach here is now far wider than normal, indeed so much so that several groynes have disappeared completely. By comparison 300 to 340 Coast Road has seen none of this extra shingle, and it is in order to provide an even standard of defence that a small amount of the accreted material will be moved.
Recycling will be an activity that is likely to be repeated throughout the winter. Where and when it takes place depends on the weather, but any areas that become badly depleted will be renourished as required. Wherever possible I will endeavour to keep residents on the email list updated as events unfold.
Please feel free to pass this message on to any other residents who may be interested.
Best wishes
Ian
Ian Thomas