Shingle beaches - moving from Erosional (State 1) to Accretional or semi-stable (State 2)

The need to stabilise shingle beaches is normally associated with perception that this will help maintain their coastal defence capabilities. Thus the techniques employed involve the use of a variety of engineered approaches. Their primary aim is to maintain the beach in its existing position combating erosion and attempting to sustain their flood defence function. The methodologies used to create stability or at least hold the beach in a position, such that it affords protection to the hinterland can be broken down into two basic approaches:

1. Preventing erosion is traditionally the approach adopted, which involves 'improving' the sea defence capability of the beach or structures;
2. Promoting accretion requires there that there is a suitable source of new material to 'feed the beach'. This can include beach nourishment using material derived from sources outside the sediment cell within, which the shingle structure exists. Other approaches are concerned with the re-use of material by recycling or 'by-pass' from the down drift to the updrift side where long shore movement takes place.