Advance the line - definition

'Advance the line' is one of five policy options adopted as part of the development of Shoreline Management Plans in England and Wales by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA 2001). The term specifically applies to the policy option: "Advance the existing defence line by constructing new defences seaward of the original defences. Note that use of this policy should be limited to those management units where significant land reclamation is considered."

Comment: This is an approach which is rarely used. The attempts to re-create saltmarsh in the 1980s in Essex had very mixed results and the techniques used then are largely not employed today. It is interesting to note that the last area of land claimed from the sea in the Wash was the subject of a managed realignment in 2002.

References

DEFRA 2001. Shoreline Management Plans: a Guide for Coastal Defence Authorities. . Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, London. Abstract...