Shingle to be moved to protect coastal communities

The work is the most cost-effective way of protecting the district, the council says

Work to help protect more than 3,000 homes and businesses from flooding on a five-mile stretch of Kent coast has begun, by redistributing 100,000 tonnes of shingle.

Folkestone & Hythe District Council says the shingle, equivalent to the weight of 33,000 cars, is being moved between Fisherman's Beach and Folkestone Harbour in a process which will take up to eight weeks.

The work is carried out twice a year, and, according to the council, is the most cost-effective way of protecting the area, maintaining and strengthening flood defences

The council added no work will take place between Christmas and New Year.

The shingle is in the process of being moved from east to west to allow the longshore drift to naturally spread it to aid the prevention of overtopping during storms.

Stephen Scoffham, cabinet member for climate, environment and biodiversity, said: "We secured £2.35m of Environment Agency funding earlier this year to ensure this important programme can continue for the next five years."