Two kilometre £30m Camber coastal defence scheme finished

A 2km coastal defence scheme from Camber to Lydd costing £30m has been finished and an opening ceremony will be held on Friday (May 13).
By The Newsroom
Published 9th May 2016, 17:43 BST
Updated 9th May 2016, 18:52 BST

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The Broomhill Sands defence spans 2km from Camber to Lydd. Photo courtesy of Environment AgencyThe Broomhill Sands defence spans 2km from Camber to Lydd. Photo courtesy of Environment Agency
The Broomhill Sands defence spans 2km from Camber to Lydd. Photo courtesy of Environment Agency

The Broomhill Sands project, which will provide protection to more than 1,300 homes and 100 businesses, spans from The Suttons in Camber to Lydd Ranges.

The new defence is made up of new rock revetments shipped in from Norway, a new wave wall, increased beach shingle and new timber groynes.

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In addition to improved coastal protection, the scheme provide a wider path along the top of the defence and new pedestrian access steps and ramps down to the beach.

Rock revetments shipped in from Norway help to make up the Broomhill Sands defence. Photo by Jo Saunders, courtesy of Environment AgencyRock revetments shipped in from Norway help to make up the Broomhill Sands defence. Photo by Jo Saunders, courtesy of Environment Agency
Rock revetments shipped in from Norway help to make up the Broomhill Sands defence. Photo by Jo Saunders, courtesy of Environment Agency

The huge defence has significantly increased the standard of protection to the area from one in 20 years to one in 200 years.

The scheme is part of the bigger Folkestone to Cliff End Strategy which, once complete, will protect 14,500 homes and businesses, a nuclear power station, significant areas of designated habitat and two Ministry of Defence firing ranges.

Environment Agency’s operations manager Ian Nunn said: “This project has been one of the largest construction projects the Environment Agency has ever completed in the south east.

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“We sourced materials from throughout Europe and staff, designers and contractors from across the country.

The Broomhill Sands team. Photo by Jo Saunders, courtesy of Environment AgencyThe Broomhill Sands team. Photo by Jo Saunders, courtesy of Environment Agency
The Broomhill Sands team. Photo by Jo Saunders, courtesy of Environment Agency

“Over 250,000 tonnes of rock will absorb wave energy and protect the new defence itself.

“The defence is nicely finished with a series of sculptures, created using funding from the Arts Council England.

“We are holding an opening ceremony at 11am on May 13 and encourage the public to come along on the day.”

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The Environment Agency is continuing to work closely with Natural England to complete the remaining schemes from the Folkestone to Cliff End Strategy.

Rock revetments shipped in from Norway help to make up the Broomhill Sands defence. Photo by Jo Saunders, courtesy of Environment AgencyRock revetments shipped in from Norway help to make up the Broomhill Sands defence. Photo by Jo Saunders, courtesy of Environment Agency
Rock revetments shipped in from Norway help to make up the Broomhill Sands defence. Photo by Jo Saunders, courtesy of Environment Agency

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The Broomhill Sands team. Photo by Jo Saunders, courtesy of Environment AgencyThe Broomhill Sands team. Photo by Jo Saunders, courtesy of Environment Agency
The Broomhill Sands team. Photo by Jo Saunders, courtesy of Environment Agency

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