Work Begins to Protect Against Risks of Flooding

Beach management work that helps protect more than 3,000 homes and businesses along the coast from flooding is to start next week.

The latest round of biannual recycling and regrading of shingle between Fisherman’s Beach in Hythe through Sandgate to Folkestone Harbour begins on Monday (30 October) and will take up to eight weeks to complete.

Cllr Stephen Scoffham – Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Bio Diversity – said: “This work helps shield the sea wall, further reducing the possibility of flooding and coastal erosion over the five-mile stretch.

“Approximately 120,000 tonnes of shingle will be moved from east to west over the next two months. The longshore drift will then naturally spread it to aid the prevention of overtopping and flooding during storm events.”

“Effects of the changing climate are bringing more severe and unpredictable storms to our area, so it is important we are as prepared as possible.”

Efforts will be made to keep any disruption to a minimum.