Hold the line - definition

'Hold 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: "Hold the existing defence line by maintaining or changing the standard of protection. This policy covers those situations where works or operations are undertaken in front of the existing defences (e.g. beach recharge, rebuilding the toe of a structure, the construction of offshore breakwaters, etc.), to improve or maintain the standard of protection provided by the existing defence line. Policies that involve operations to the rear of existing defences (e.g. construction of secondary floodwalls) should be included under this policy where they form an integral part of maintaining the current coastal defence systems."

Comment: This option is the 'default' option and is applied in many situations and at many sites. No specific site links are given to examples in this guide but most of the habitat sections provide information on approaches that are adopted.

References

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