Coasts- Case Study

Question 1

why was the scheme needed in medmerry coastal relalignment

Answer 1

• south coast of england
• faced problems with flooding from the sea
• 2008-£5 million of damage
• without annual mainatnance, 348 properties,a water treatment plant and the main road would be flooded

Question 2

what was the coastal realignments scheme in in medmerry

Answer 2

• work began in 2011 and completed by 2014
• constructing a new 7 km embankment using clay form within area which created a new intertidal zone protecting properties behind it
• channel built behind embankment to collect drainage water
• 60,000 tonnes of rock from norway was used to build up rock armour on the seaward edge of embankment
• 110 metre breach was made in the shingle bank on the beach, allowing sea to flood land behind to create new intertidal area

Question 3

what are the positives of the medmerry coast scheme

Answer 3

social= 348 properties now protected, now has 10km of foot path,7km of bike path,5 km new bridle way
economic= boost in tourism and caravan parks have extended their season,generating jobs. 2 new car parks and 4 new viewing points give easy access
environemental= site contains 300 hectares of habitat of principal importance under the UK BAP incl. mud flats and salt marshes, area now huge nature reserve managed by the RSPB

Question 4

what are the issues with the medmerry coast scheme

Answer 4

Social= people from outside area resented a significant sum of money being spent in a sparsely populated area, residents preffered offshore reef or continued beach reproffiling
economic= expensive at £28 million compared to 0.2 million a year to maintain shingle wall, good agriculture land abandonned leading to loss of 3 farms
environmental= habitats of existing species disturbed

Question 5

where is the dorset coast

Answer 5

• located in the south of england
• 142 KM long
• the alternating layers of hard and soft rock create a bay and headland formation