Coastal protection at Milford on Sea to be improved

23 August 2024

We are improving protection along the coastline at Milford on Sea.

Rocks are being placed in front of the seawall, groynes are being repaired, and shingle is being added to increase beach levels. 
 
The first stage of works includes the installation of 1,100 tonnes of rock, known as a rock revetment.  

The rocks will provide protection from waves along the toe of the seawall, at the eastern end of the beach huts, where beach levels are low. This will help dissipate wave energy and allow shingle to settle more easily. Several of the timber groynes in the area will also be repaired. 

The site on Hurst Road will be set up from 27 August, with rock to be delivered to the beach at the beginning of September.   

The second stage of the works will include 2,500 tonnes of shingle being delivered to the beach from trucks to improve beach levels and help further protect the seawall ahead of the winter. This is expected to take place in October.  

Cllr Geoffrey Blunden, portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, said:  

"This coastal frontage has in recent years experienced a continued increase in winter storms, with the winter of 2023/24 seeing a record number of storms impacting on our vulnerable coastline. This has resulted in the continued lowering of beach levels, reducing the level of protection to coastal defences and assets.  

This piece of maintenance work is vitally important to provide protection to an aging seawall and supports the Shoreline Management Policy of 'hold the line'. This maintenance work is also in line with the Christchurch Bay and Harbour FCERM Strategy that is currently going through the Council to be adopted." 

Notes:

• Suitable tides and weather conditions will be required to undertake the works, consequently work may take place early and late in the day, depending on the tidal conditions. 

• More information about the coastal maintenance and the Christchurch Bay and Harbour FCERM Strategy can be found on our website.

• As part of the first phase, the promenade will need to be closed for short periods of time when the rocks are delivered. This will likely be around 15 minutes to enable the safe movement of plant between the compound and the beach. Access around the compound using Hurst Road will also be available during this time, and it is planned that the promenade will remain open during the works. Public safety will be managed by traffic marshalls located at the public interface (crossing point) and at the entrance to the site to safely guide lorries arriving and departing between Hurst Road and the site. 

• As part of the second phase, the beach recharge will consist of shingle material being deposited in 3 groyne bays at the western end of the promenade (opposite the toilet block). These groyne bays have been subject to significant erosion recently, resulting in the access steps being closed. The additional material will help to restore levels.  

• In September 2023, 4,500 tonnes of shingle were added to the beach to improve beach levels and help protect the seawall ahead of the winter. 

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