Felixstowe Coastal Defences

Felixstowe is a typical Victorian coastal town on the Suffolk Coast. Southern part of Felixstowe is at risk of coastal flooding and was inundated during the 1953 surge event when 39 lives were lost and 700 homes were damaged. The area at risk of flooding is a high density urban area with over 1,600 residential properties, the tourist frontage to the town with the associated amenity facilities and commercial businesses, plus the Port of Felixstowe, which is the largest container port in the UK.

The 2003 coastal strategy for the area (Halcrow, 2003) identified that the coastal frontage to the town presented the greatest risk of flooding to the hinterland. The defences along this frontage suffer the highest exposure to storm events in the North Sea and are in poorest condition. Further work has therefore focused on improving the front line defences in this area.

A coastal processes study identified that rock fishtail groynes (in combination with beach nourishment) are the most appropriate solution to providing a more stable beach, and thereby protect the frontline defences. However, there were several issues to be overcome with regards to public perception before the scheme could be approved, these being:

A perceived problem that the loss of the beach material was as a result of dredging within the Harwich Haven approach channel and at licensed dredging sites offshore.

A fishtail groyne scheme nearby had not performed as designed, and this has led to public distrust of fishtail groyne schemes and their suitability for the frontage.

Being a traditional Victorian coastal town, there are some members of the public that believe that coastal defences should be in the form of traditional timber groynes.

Increased health and safety risk and reduced amenity of rock structures on a beach.

Through public consultation the project team has educated the public through the provision of information and discussion. This liaison process has enabled all the approvals and consents for the rock fishtail groyne scheme to be obtained with full support for the scheme from the public.

• Introduction

• Background

• Option Appraisal and Consultation

• Conclusion

• References