Pevensey Bay

Question 1

Where ?

Answer 1

East sussex coast.
15km

Question 2

Geology of coastline

Answer 2

low-lying area of softer sediments between sandstone geology to the east at Hastings and chalk to the South Downs to the west.

Question 3

What’s naturally occurred ?

Answer 3

Natural processes (sea level rise, longshore drift) have created a shingle barrier that extends for 9km between Eastbourne and Bexhill.

Question 4

What’s challenging on this coast ?

Answer 4

Managing the coastline is difficult. Modern-day settlements require the coastline remains in a relatively fixed position. However sea-level rise, longshore drift and wave action, increased storm frequency make the coastline change shape all the time. Economic costs, benefits and sustainability is an ongoing challenge.

Question 5

What do the natural and man-made sea defences currently protect ?

Answer 5

Permanent flooding of 50km2 (pevensey bay, norman’s bay, langley)
18,000 properties.
Recreational and commercial sites.
A259 coast road/railway
2 nature reserves + SSSI wetland.
Numerous livestock and arable farms.

Question 6

What experimental method was used ?

Answer 6

Tyres were buried in the sand.
Increases the size of shingle ridge.
Could decompose and release toxins.

Question 7

Why is the shingle bank important ?

Answer 7

-Key coastal defence
-Without 50km2, 18,000 properties, main road and railway line (brighton-Hastings) would be at risk
-Sea would be able to breach

Question 8

Why was development needed ?

Answer 8

-150 groynes deteriorated (10 were repaired)
-Protect homes and species (Pevensey levels, fresh water marsh)

Question 9

What soft engineering strategies are used ?

Answer 9

-Beach recycling
LSD west to east
Bulldozers collect accumulated shingle at eastern end
Bring it to western end to reprofile for LSD
-Beach nourishment
Lorry’s were too noisy
Ship dredges offshore shingle and is used to reprofile
Done 3 times a year (if storm causes damage then done again)
-Beach surveys
GPS is used to create 3D models to work out where replenishment and renourishment is needed
On quad bikes
-Harbour is periodically dredged, this sediment is added to beach
-beach is main sea defence
-There is an old sea wall behind

Question 10

What is the SMP

Answer 10

Hold the line
for 25 yr, 50 yr and 100 yr

Question 11

What is being protected ?

Answer 11

-Westham
-Wartling
-Hailsham
-Pevensey levels
-A259
-Hastings to Brighton railway