PEVENSEY Bay’s shoreline is set for a transformation as a specialist dredging vessel sprays thousands of tonnes of shingle onto the beach in a vital £1 million coastal defence project.
The Sospan Dau, a Dutch dredger, returned at the weekend to begin the annual replenishment of shingle defences that shield more than 3,000 homes and businesses in Sovereign Harbour, Pevensey Bay and Normans Bay.
Over the coming weeks, the vessel will deliver around 30,000 tonnes of shingle dredged from the seabed off Littlehampton.
In a striking display, the material is being pumped onto the beach near Sovereign Harbour in rainbow-shaped arcs during high tides, before being redistributed naturally along the coast by tidal action and longshore drift.
The shingle beach is the area’s first line of defence against coastal flooding, absorbing wave energy and reducing the impact of winter storms and surges. With natural processes constantly moving the shingle along the shoreline, regular replenishment is essential.
Paul Levitt, Environment Agency beach manager at Pevensey Bay, said: “This annual shingle replenishment is essential for maintaining the flood defences that protect our coastal communities. By carrying out this work in September, we’re ensuring the beach is in the best possible condition to withstand winter storms and high tides.”
Nick Gray, the Environment Agency’s flood and coastal risk manager for Sussex, warned that the work is becoming increasingly urgent in the face of climate change.
He said: “Sea levels are projected to rise by more than one metre in southern England over this century, and with more frequent powerful storms also predicted, the risk of increased coastal erosion and flooding is likely. Early preparation is key to keeping communities safe.”
The project is part of the wider Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme – one of the largest flood risk initiatives in the UK.
Residents in at-risk areas are being reminded to check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and stay informed via the Environment Agency’s Floodline service on 0345 988 1188.
