No stone left unturned as £5m Elmer sea defence works near completion date

The final shingle deliveries are now taking place for the £5million coastal defence works at Elmer to protect 325 properties from flooding.
Building a boat ramp as part of Elmer sea defence work SUS-200505-141439001Building a boat ramp as part of Elmer sea defence work SUS-200505-141439001
Building a boat ramp as part of Elmer sea defence work SUS-200505-141439001

The Environment Agency is working in partnership with Arun District Council and Elmer Sands Limited.

With an estimated cost of £5million, plus £3million to be spent over the next 50 years, funding is from the UK Government, Arun District Council and Elmer Sands Ltd.

The final phase of construction is now underway.

Shingle being sprayed at Elmer SUS-200505-142118001Shingle being sprayed at Elmer SUS-200505-142118001
Shingle being sprayed at Elmer SUS-200505-142118001
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This involves the spraying of huge quantities of shingle onto the beach by the dredger ‘Sospan Dau’.

The process is known as ‘rainbowing’ due to the visible rainbow effect as the shingle is sprayed onto the beach.

The operation is carried out during high tides when the dredger can be nearer the shoreline.

Once delivered, the shingle is moved into large piles by dumper trucks before being spread at low tide to create the new beach profile.

Graded shingle at Elmer SUS-200505-141842001Graded shingle at Elmer SUS-200505-141842001
Graded shingle at Elmer SUS-200505-141842001
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Contractors will be working through both high and low tides.

There will be some work outside normal hours, as John O’Flynn, Environment Agency operations manager explained:

“Some tides will mean that we will need to work at night-time and weekends to make full use of the tides.”

“During this work members of the public should please follow the guidance on signs around the beach.

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“They should not enter the construction site or go near the rock piles for their own safety.”

“We realise the inconvenience that this work may cause our local neighbours, especially during this lockdown period, and would like to thank them for their co-operation and the understanding that we have so far received.”

“In carrying out this critical construction during the coronavirus outbreak, our contractors are following the latest guidance from Public Health England regarding safe working on construction sites.

“The safety of our staff, partners and the communities we work in remains a priority.”

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Since work started in October last year, 20,000 tonnes of rock has been used to improve the existing rock revetment and a total of 12,500 cubic metres of shingle will be recharged across the defences.

A new boat ramp for Elmer Boat Club is under construction.

For more information about the scheme, please contact the West Sussex Partnership and Strategic Overview team at the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 (from Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm).

You can also email: [email protected].

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