Erosion chalk cliffs at Beachy Head

The chalk cliffs of Beachy Head and west to the Severn Sisters, East Sussex are eroding at an average rate of approximately 0.7 m per year (measured at Birling Gap). The effect on the cliff is to 'squeeze' the area of chalk grassland on the cliff top which has already been reduced by agricultural use and threatens housing. Despite local pressure to protect their homes by building a £300,000 offshore barrier to protect the cliff, it was decided by the Government not to provide the money to protect them. The owners of the land (the National Trust) began the process of demolishing the 19th Century cottages (shown in the pictures below) and a hotel involving the displacement of 30 or so residents in 2002.

Caption: The approximate position of the cliff edge in 2001 derived from the photo on the right (the Telegraph, 2002) is shown on a picture taken in 1985.

Comment: Studies undertaken as part of the European Commission funded BERM project give a more accurate picture of the rates of change along this part of the coast.