Pennington Point: "erosion is going about 10 times faster than it used to before 1990."

Last Wednesday 20th April, an event was held at Plymouth University where scientists looked at the dramatic changes to the coastline over the last decade.
MEDIA RELEASE: Event highlights 10 years of South West’s changing coastline - KOR Communications

It was featured across the media, including this blog:
Futures Forum: Pennington Point: "If action is taken to manage the beach erosion - that should contribute to managing erosion of the cliffs as well."

The report itself came out last month:

Winter storms the most energetic to hit western Europe since 1948, study shows

Researchers found that extreme wave conditions occurred up to five times more frequently in 2013/14, with wave heights up to 40% higher than average

Extreme waves impacting on Chesil Beach in Dorset, UK, on February 05, 2014. Image credit: Richard Broome

The repeated storms which battered Europe’s Atlantic coastline during the winter of 2013/14 were the most energetic in almost seven decades, new research has shown.

And they were part of a growing trend in stormy conditions which scientists say has the potential to dramatically change the equilibrium state of beaches along the western side of the continent, leading to permanent changes in beach gradient, coastal alignment and nearshore bar position.

Winter storms the most energetic to hit western Europe since 1948, study shows - Plymouth University
Winter storms the most energetic to hit western Europe since 1948, study shows -- ScienceDaily

ITV did a piece on last week's Plymouth event, focussing on Sidmouth:

1. ITV REPORT
 
2. 19 April 2016 at 4:44am

Striking data show dramatic coastal changes over the last decade

Striking images from the South West Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme show some of the dramatic changes to the coast over the last decade at Sidmouth in East Devon.

Striking images show the rate of coastal erosion in Devon Credit: ITV West Country

Resident Paul Griew told ITV News he used to think it would be 300 years before his home was threatened - now he thinks it could be 30 or even less.

It's going about 10 times faster than it used to before 1990.

We've lost what was the South West Coast path, some land beyond that and about 10 metres of my garden. A place I used to sit out there no longer exists.

– PAUL GRIEW

This image from the Plymouth Coastal Observatory shows the rate of change here since 2007. Data suggest parts of the cliff top have retreated some 15m in 8 years.

This image shows the rate of change here since 2007. Credit: Plymouth Coastal Observatory

The concern is not just for the residents at the top of the cliffs, but also for the people of Sidmouth below as the protection from tidal surges dimishes.

Scientists from the University of Plymouth are leading a programme monitoring more than 12,000 miles of coast around the South West. It looks at things like the height of beaches, and how the coastline moves.

12,000

miles of coast around the South West being monitored.

Scientists from the University of Plymouth are monitoring more than 12,000 miles of coast Credit: ITV West Country

The information gathered is becoming increasingly important as plans are drawn up to manage erosion and flooding.

In Sidmouth, scientists say the beach has dropped by more than two metres, further exposing the cliffs to erosion.

Two

metres - the amount the beach has dropped by in Sidmouth.

The research is being used to help draft a beach management plan to be finalised in the Autumn.

But residents like Paul Griew are warning that authorities need to take urgent notice of what the coastal research is revealing - monitoring it properly and acting rapidly.

Last updated Tue 19 Apr 2016

• SIDMOUTH
•  COASTAL EROSION

Striking data show dramatic coastal changes over the last decade | West Country (W) - ITV News


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