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Other sources of local coastal information
The Poole Bay Partnership
Poolebay.net was first published in response to the level of public interest in the
major beach replenishment projects of 2005-
Welcome to poolebay.net
Past projects
A record of Coastal Management projects along the coast of Poole Bay, Dorset
Poole Harbour: Whitley Lake Sea Defence Feasibility Study 2013-
Project start date: 11 March 2013
A 5-
Happening Now
Poole Bay, Poole Harbour and Wareham Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy
study 2010-
Between 1970-
The resulting wide beaches have been a success in terms of their function as a coast
protection structure and for the enjoyment they provide to the area's residents and
visitors. Beach control structures will ensure they remain that way for as long as
possible and a long-
Since 2005 project news and latest information has been available online as it happens. Projects include:
Bournemouth Beach Top-
Bournemouth Timber Groyne Repair Works winter 2009/10
New rock groynes between Branksome Chine & Branksome Dene Chine winter 2008/09
Bournemouth Beach Top-
Bournemouth Beach Top-
Poole Bay & Swanage Beach Replenishment Phase II 2006/07
(opens in a new window)
Poole Bay & Swanage Beach Replenishment Phase I 2005/06
(opens in a new window)
Sandbanks Coast Protection 1995 -
Winter 2012/13:
The public will be consulted on the draft options and the environmental impacts report.
Summer 2013:
The final strategy will be produced for approval.
The new strategy will develop policy options identified by the SMP Review into implementation plans which detail flood risk management solutions at specific locations.
The study area for the strategy extends from Durlston Head to Hengistbury Head. It includes Poole Harbour and the estuaries of the Frome and Piddle up to their tidal limits.
Once it is completed and approved, the strategy will guide much of the work we and the local authorities do in this area in the future.
The study is carried out by the Environment Agency and Atkins Global, in partnership with the local authorities of Bournemouth, Poole, Purbeck and Dorset County.
During the 20th Century, the cliffs of Poole Bay were protected from coastal erosion by the construction of concrete seawalls and groynes.
This allowed houses and roads to be built on the cliff tops, but it also stopped the natural supply of sand and gravel to the shore. So beach material that is lost to natural coastal processes (wind & waves) cannot be replaced by any other than artificial means.
The whole of Poole Bay from Sandbanks to Hengistbury Head is an eroding coastline. The standard of coast protection & flood defence depends mainly on the level and width of its beaches, which must be constantly maintained by artificial means.
It is also necessary to repair, replace or add to existing beach control structures
such as groynes, that help keep beach material in place, on order to safeguard beachfront
and cliff-
The cost of beach replenishment and other flood defence projects is funded by the government through Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and the Environment Agency, based on detailed risk management appraisals.
An overview of the stages in the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management appraisal process can be found at www.southerncoastalgroup.org.uk
The need for coastal management
Whitley Lake
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