Coastal Management Case Study - Geography GCSE

Location: North coast of Somerset

About: One of the regions most popular tourist resorts
- Home to a large Butlin's Resort -visited by thousands of tourists a year

Backround information:

• In the 1990's it became clear that the current sea defences would be inadequate
• Damage was estimated at £21million if nothing was done
• Work started in 1997 and finished in 2001
• In total, it cost £12.3million
  -Overall, it meant a large amount of money was saved from potential losses

• A 0.6m high sea wall
  -with a curved front to deflect waves
  -with a curved top to deter people from walking on it
  -the landward side was covered in attractive, local red sandstone
• Rock armour was placed at the base of the wall
  -to dissipate the wave energy
• Beach nourishment
  -built up beach 2m in height
  -waves break further out to sea - so less erosive
  -good for tourists 
• 4 Rock groynes
  -to retain the beach and prevent longshore drift
• A wide walkway with seating areas alongside the wall 
  -popular with tourists