The shingle bank at the low-lying area of Medmerry will be
strengthened by the Environment Agency (EA) to prevent damage from the sea this autumn.

Tides are expected to reach about 5.2 metres in height and even
5.5 metres in October.

"Storms, high winds and severe weather can test our defences at any time of the year. Usually there is no need for bulldozers to be on site during the summer," said Andrew Gilham, Environment Agency area flood risk manager.

"However, the recent spell of unsettled weather means we have had to take the unusual step of bringing bulldozers to the site.

"We are already working with local communities who live along this very fragile coastline to determine how we manage it into the future.

"All of our research suggests that a realignment of defences inland in a managed way is the right thing to do.

"This would enable us to provide improved protection to Selsey and the surrounding communities."

Two bulldozers have been adding shingle to the existing defences at Medmerry to cater for more stormy weather.

The action from the EA comes just before tomorrow's Pagham to East Head draft coastal defence strategy consultation deadline.

Co-founder of the Save Our Selsey campaign Roland O'Brien said: "We usually see tides reach about 5.2 metres high at the end of August.

"It looks like the EA is doing the right thing.

"The tides can get up to 5.5 metres in October. Our only
concern is the shingle bank which must be wide enough to cope with the tide.

"Before it was built up short and tall and the tide just knocks
it over."

The coastal defence draft strategy can be download by clicking here or by calling 08708 506 506.

What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news
Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news
Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP