TV6096 A number of physical features, including an outer ledge or reef, a wave cut platform and steep sea cliffs, indicate that coastal erosion has been a powerful force in shaping this coastline. The appearance of the coast has been further shaped by human responses to erosion including the building of wooden groynes to slow the erosive effects of longshore drift and the placement of rock armour to lessen the impact of destructive waves.
TV6096 may be viewed as a battlefield where a daily contest is fought between the attacking forces of the sea and the defensive actions of people. Holywell is a popular area for tourists to visit and with regard to landscape evaluation most would, no doubt, prefer to enjoy a coastline in its natural state rather than one fortified by coastal defences. Huge boulders of rock armour stand on the beach and are in marked contrast to the pale, coloured, country rocks like chalk and clay. The wooden groynes in this location, are generally suffering sea damage, are in a poor state of repair and as such are ineffective in helping to stabilize the movement of beach material including chalk fragments and flint pebbles.
With the combined forces of the land sinking due to post glacial readjustmnts and sea level rising, probably due to climate change, it is likely that there will be increased pressure to further strengthen coastal defences in
TV6096. What are your views about the balance between hard, coastal defences and the impact on the quality of the visual environment? Related discussions concern factors like the nature of sea defences, the urgency of the work and the costs involved.
Andrew Diack, BA (Hons)
TV6096 : Defences against coastal erosion at Holywell, EastbourneTV6096 : An eroding coast at Holywell, EastbourneTV6096 : Rock armour protecting the cliffs at Holywell, EastbourneTV6096 : Coastal defences at Holywell, EastbourneTV6096 : Smashed and broken groynes at Holywell, Eastbourne[
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