Coastal Update
Issue 13
July 2015
Updates and news from around the Coast
BLUE FLAG AND SEASIDE AWARDS FOR NORTH NORFOLK!
Keep Britain Tidy has announced the winners of this year’s Blue Flag and Seaside
Awards and the North Norfolk Beaches at Sheringham, Cromer, Mundesley and Sea
Palling have all maintained their Blue Flag Status. This year we are also celebrating the
retention of Seaside Award for the second year running at East Runton beach, as well as Wells-nextthe-Sea beach winning the coveted award for the first time. The Seaside Award is in recognition of
high standards of beach management. Each award-winning North Norfolk beach has scooped the
awards based on offering visitors great facilities, a litter free and safe environment and, in the case of
the Blue Flag awards, meeting the highest international water quality requirements.
PIER OF THE YEAR W INNER!
CROMER has been voted Pier Of The Year 2015 by the
members of the National Piers Society having previously won
the award in 2000.
IMPROVING COASTAL AWARENESS
North Norfolk District Council has developed a series of coastal
information leaflets covering a wide range of coastal topics from
coastal processes to how to prepare and protect properties from
flooding. These leaflets are now available to download on the
coastal management pages of the council website
(http://www.northnorfolk.org/environment/17879.asp).
The leaflets are part of an initiative to improve coastal awareness of
visitors and residents. Over the coming months NNDC plans to
release a range of media clips showcasing coast protection works
as well coastal awareness presentations free for use by the public.
COASTAL UPDATE
SHERINGHAM WEST SEAWALL IMPROVEMENT
The first stage of improvement of 236m of seawall
at Sheringham west is complete. The seawall is
being improved to minimise the likelihood of a
failure such as that experienced last winter. The
resulting reduction in maintenance required in
future years should enable resources to be
reallocated to other
schemes on the North
Norfolk frontage. The
next stage of
improvement works are
due to begin October
2015. During this time
access may be limited
the west promenade.
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After successfully attracting funding from the
Norfolk County Council Coastal Fund, the Ostend
targeted rock placement scheme has now been
completed. Two 30m rock sills have been placed
on the beach with the aim of buying time for the
most at risk properties.
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OSTEND TARGETED ROCK PLACEMENT
Coastal Update
Issue 13
July 2015
CROMER COAST PROTECTION SCHEME
th
The next stage of works will commence on 14
September and with preparations starting on
th
7 September 2015. The continuing program
of works will focus on the around the Pier.
OVERSTRAND GABIONS TENDER
Consultants have been approved to design
and manage the repairs to cliff retaining
gabions at Overstrand.
TIMBER REVETMENTS REPAIRS
Contractors have been approved to complete
the repairs at Mundesley, Vale Road and
Overstrand.
FUTURE WORKS
Further stages of the Walcott & Bacton seawall
as well as Sheringham east cliff retaining wall
works are under development.
HAPPISBURGH ROCK REALIGNMENT & BEACH DEBRIS REMOVAL
In 2002/03 and 2007, a total of 8,886 tonnes of rock
was used to form a 400m (approx.) long rock sill on
the beach in front of the cliff at Happisburgh.
Additional small quantities of rock have been added
to the sill since 2007 to reinforce and extend it to
protect the earth beach access ramp. The rock sill
defence works by dissipating wave energy before
the waves reach the cliffs. It was constructed as a
measure to buy time and has slowed erosion. As the
land behind the rocks has now retreated, it is no longer considered as effective as it could be and
there is a risk that the rocks could be lost to the sea. North Norfolk District Council following
community requests is now realigning the rock sill closer to the cliff base.
BEACH ACCESS SCHEME
NNDC is seeking FLAG funds to improve beach access at
Mundesley, Sheringham and Rudram’s Gap, Bacton. Both the
Bacton and Sheringham ramps are in need of extension due to
damage and lowered beach levels. This scheme seeks to repair
and extend these ramps to meet the beach so that they are
available to be used once again. A new ramp is planned for the
east end of Mundesley promenade to allow safer beach access
for the Mundesley Inshore lifeboat, local fishing boats and for
the purpose of coast protection. Currently, tenders for the work
have been invited and works will commence later in the year.
INVESTIGATIONS
‘Sandscaping’- A preliminary investigation completed by The Crown Estate into a possible
‘sandscaping’ approach in North Norfolk has been received and can be viewed on the NNDC
webpages. North Norfolk is one of several UK locations which are exploring this innovative coastal
management technique.
Recently Defra held a consultation on the second tranche of proposed MCZs of which the Cromer
Shoal Chalk Beds was considered. Consultation has now closed and the results of the consultations
are expected 29 January 2016. NNDC’s response can be viewed at
http://www.northnorfolk.org/environment/18738.asp.
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MARINE CONSERVATION ZONES (MCZ)
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Bacton and Walcott Coastal Management Investigation – NNDC have continued to work the
operators of Bacton Gas Terminal to investigate if there is a viable way forward for a joint coastal
project. The study is being supported by the Environment Agency and has attracted high level
government interest. Investigations continue in order to be clear if a joint approach is viable.