Erosion of shingle beaches and structures

There appears to be a general tendency towards erosion of shingle beaches and structures. This is the result of a complex set of interactions which may include both natural factors such as:

• Natural depletion of sediment sources;
• Changes in shoreline morphology;
• Changes in the pattern of waves and storms;
• Sea level change.

and human actions including:

• Excavation of the sand and gravel both offshore and in the nearshore beach environment;
• Construction of harbour breakwaters, groynes and other structures, restricting the supply of sediment to adjacent areas;
• Other coastal defence activities;
• Protection of eroding cliffs, restricting sediment supply on downdrift shores.

Comment: The issues are being considered in some detail in relation to sediment budgets along the Channel Coast under an EU Interreg II project (BERM).