Improved flood defences in East Sussex

Shingle is set to be recycled on the 4km shingle beach between east Newhaven and Seaford Head in Sussex in order to improve sea defences.

The exercise is carried out twice a year and up to 60,000 cubic metres of shingle is moved back to the centre of the beach.

The shingle beach and buried sea wall help to manage flooding during high tides and storms, with Seaford beach experiencing some of the most powerful waves in Sussex.

Russell Long, a flood and coastal risk manager at the Environment Agency, said: "Over the winter months, natural coastal processes have moved the shingle away from the central section of the beach. The Environment Agency will evenly redistribute the shingle back to the centre of the beach to maintain flood protection and minimise shingle loss from the beach.

"As we enter the spring, it’s essential that the shingle beach is maintained to reduce the impact of high tides and storms on the homes and businesses in east Newhaven and Seaford.

"Whilst the work is happening, the beach will be open. We’re asking members of the public keep a distance from any machinery."

Image: Simon Carey / Seaford Beach / CC BY-SA 2.0