£1m coastal defence work to protect thousands

An extra 30,000 tonnes of shingle is set to be sprayed along the Pevensey Bay coast

About £1m of essential coastal defence work is set to be carried out in an East Sussex town to help protect more than 3,000 properties.

The Sospan Dau dredging vessel will make about 25 visits to Pevensey Bay to spray shingle onto the shoreline at high tide over two to three weeks, depending on the sea, weather and crew changes.

Work is expected start on Monday to distribute the extra 30,000 tonnes of shingle, which has been dredged from Littlehampton in West Sussex.

"The shingle beach at Pevensey Bay is a vital flood defence, absorbing wave energy and reducing the impact of storm surges," the Environment Agency (EA) explained.

"Its importance is heightened during the winter months, when high tides and storms combine to create hazardous conditions.

"Natural coastal processes continually move shingle along the shoreline, making regular replenishment essential to maintain effective protection."

Once it is put on the beach, the shingle will be naturally redistributed along the coast.

The work forms part of the broader Pevensey Bay to Eastbourne Coastal Management Scheme, which the EA says is one of the largest coastal flood risk projects in the country.

Nick Gray, flood and coastal risk manager for the EA in Sussex, said: "Sea levels are projected to rise by more than 1m (3.3ft) in southern England over this century, and with more frequent powerful storms also predicted, the risk of increased coastal erosion and flooding is likely.

"Early preparation is key to keeping communities safe."