Medium-term (Phase 1) project

The medium-term project will follow the short-term project in 2027. It aims to respond to a predicted 10cm sea level rise and provide the same standard of protection from coastal flooding.

Scaling the intervention to the risk

By 2040, sea levels are predicted to rise by approximately 10cm1, 2. Over the next 100 years, sea level is expected to rise far more. This means more substantial change is likely to be needed in the longer term.


We have reviewed existing beach management processes and structures to consider different flood protection options (the longlist). These options have been assessed against multiple criteria including:

  • Ability to provide flood protection
  • Affordability
  • Environmental impact (including carbon emissions and biodiversity)
  • Public and stakeholder feedback
  • Lock in (where choice of an option for the medium-term, restricts or prevents option choices in the longer-term)


Our research, modelling and engineering calculations show that we can deliver the desired standard of protection without any major changes to our approach in the medium-term.


Outer harbour and private sea wall at Sovereign Harbour


The Preferred Option

We have reviewed existing beach management processes and structures to consider all the possible flood protection options. These options have been considered and assessed against criteria which factored in what is best for the environment, people and place and resulted in a preferred option of Beach Improvement Works being selected. We are continuing to explore the viability and appetite individual for Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures to act as secondary coastal protection for some properties.


The preferred option for the medium-term project involves a combination of improvements to current beach management practices including:


Beach design

This part of the approach is about improving and updating the size and shape of the beach, with the aim of reducing shingle flood and erosion risk. In turn this approach also aims to result in fewer machines to move shingle on the beach in turn also significantly reducing carbon emissions.

Sketch showing the principles of the medium-term beach design


Shingle maintenance

Beach material constantly moves along the coastline by the action of the waves, which occurs to a greater extend during storms. The movement of material changes beach size and shape and so needs to be returned to maintain the required design. A large amount of heavy machinery is used to achieve this and reducing the number of machines and alternative fuels such as hydrogen or battery powered are being explored. The preferred option aims to ensure that each section of beach is correct amount of beach material to protect communities.


Groynes

These wooden structures capture material as it moves along the coast by natural processes. They help with shingle maintenance by storing it closer to where it is needed. Work to both repair and enhance some existing groynes is planned to ensure their performance is maintained.

Sketch showing the elements that make up groynes that need to be maintained


Beach monitoring

Improvements to surveying and monitoring practices are needed to understand how beach shape and size change over time. This data informs what maintenance is needed and how urgently it should be implemented. There is a large amount of data available already, but the project will embrace new technologies to advance our approach and further minimise flood and erosion risk to homes and businesses.


Property Flood Resilience

All properties on the coast and beyond are protected to a high standard by the beach. However, some, especially those on or very close to the beach, may benefit from further modifications called PFR3. It is very important to be aware that PFR measures are over and above the required level of protection and act as a secondary line of protection for some homes and businesses. These measures could include the installation of smart air bricks and non-return valves, flood doors and barriers. PFR measures are being considered but further work needs to be carried out through the design stages to better understand the property flood risks before we will have any further specific detail on this.


Sketch showing some examples of PFR modifications provide additional flood protection


Next steps

The project team are continuing to work closely with stakeholders and involve communities throughout the development of the scheme. Now that a preferred option has been selected for the medium-term project, we are working to develop the detail. We have shared the outline designs during autumn 2024 and invited you to share your thoughts and feedback with us.

A presentation detailing the designs for Phase 1 is now available for you to view in the video section on the side panel of this webpage.

We will also be seeking significant Grant in Aid Funding from HM Treasury to proceed to finalising designs and carrying out the works from 2027.


Footnotes

  1. Based on UK Climate Projections (UKCP): https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/approach/collaboration/ukcp/summaries/marine-climate-change-projections
  2. Marine climate change infographic from UKCP: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/ukcp/ukcp18-infographic-headline-findings-marine.pdf
  3. Property Flood Resilience - M3floodtec: https://www.m3floodtec.com/domestic-property-flood-resilience



If you would like to know more about this phase of the project, please email us: PevenseyandEastbourneCoast@environment-agency.gov.uk

The medium-term project will follow the short-term project in 2027. It aims to respond to a predicted 10cm sea level rise and provide the same standard of protection from coastal flooding.

Scaling the intervention to the risk

By 2040, sea levels are predicted to rise by approximately 10cm1, 2. Over the next 100 years, sea level is expected to rise far more. This means more substantial change is likely to be needed in the longer term.


We have reviewed existing beach management processes and structures to consider different flood protection options (the longlist). These options have been assessed against multiple criteria including:

  • Ability to provide flood protection
  • Affordability
  • Environmental impact (including carbon emissions and biodiversity)
  • Public and stakeholder feedback
  • Lock in (where choice of an option for the medium-term, restricts or prevents option choices in the longer-term)


Our research, modelling and engineering calculations show that we can deliver the desired standard of protection without any major changes to our approach in the medium-term.


Outer harbour and private sea wall at Sovereign Harbour


The Preferred Option

We have reviewed existing beach management processes and structures to consider all the possible flood protection options. These options have been considered and assessed against criteria which factored in what is best for the environment, people and place and resulted in a preferred option of Beach Improvement Works being selected. We are continuing to explore the viability and appetite individual for Property Flood Resilience (PFR) measures to act as secondary coastal protection for some properties.


The preferred option for the medium-term project involves a combination of improvements to current beach management practices including:


Beach design

This part of the approach is about improving and updating the size and shape of the beach, with the aim of reducing shingle flood and erosion risk. In turn this approach also aims to result in fewer machines to move shingle on the beach in turn also significantly reducing carbon emissions.

Sketch showing the principles of the medium-term beach design


Shingle maintenance

Beach material constantly moves along the coastline by the action of the waves, which occurs to a greater extend during storms. The movement of material changes beach size and shape and so needs to be returned to maintain the required design. A large amount of heavy machinery is used to achieve this and reducing the number of machines and alternative fuels such as hydrogen or battery powered are being explored. The preferred option aims to ensure that each section of beach is correct amount of beach material to protect communities.


Groynes

These wooden structures capture material as it moves along the coast by natural processes. They help with shingle maintenance by storing it closer to where it is needed. Work to both repair and enhance some existing groynes is planned to ensure their performance is maintained.

Sketch showing the elements that make up groynes that need to be maintained


Beach monitoring

Improvements to surveying and monitoring practices are needed to understand how beach shape and size change over time. This data informs what maintenance is needed and how urgently it should be implemented. There is a large amount of data available already, but the project will embrace new technologies to advance our approach and further minimise flood and erosion risk to homes and businesses.


Property Flood Resilience

All properties on the coast and beyond are protected to a high standard by the beach. However, some, especially those on or very close to the beach, may benefit from further modifications called PFR3. It is very important to be aware that PFR measures are over and above the required level of protection and act as a secondary line of protection for some homes and businesses. These measures could include the installation of smart air bricks and non-return valves, flood doors and barriers. PFR measures are being considered but further work needs to be carried out through the design stages to better understand the property flood risks before we will have any further specific detail on this.


Sketch showing some examples of PFR modifications provide additional flood protection


Next steps

The project team are continuing to work closely with stakeholders and involve communities throughout the development of the scheme. Now that a preferred option has been selected for the medium-term project, we are working to develop the detail. We have shared the outline designs during autumn 2024 and invited you to share your thoughts and feedback with us.

A presentation detailing the designs for Phase 1 is now available for you to view in the video section on the side panel of this webpage.

We will also be seeking significant Grant in Aid Funding from HM Treasury to proceed to finalising designs and carrying out the works from 2027.


Footnotes

  1. Based on UK Climate Projections (UKCP): https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/approach/collaboration/ukcp/summaries/marine-climate-change-projections
  2. Marine climate change infographic from UKCP: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/ukcp/ukcp18-infographic-headline-findings-marine.pdf
  3. Property Flood Resilience - M3floodtec: https://www.m3floodtec.com/domestic-property-flood-resilience



If you would like to know more about this phase of the project, please email us: PevenseyandEastbourneCoast@environment-agency.gov.uk

Page last updated: 27 Jan 2025, 05:15 PM