Lyme Regis

Question 1

where is lyme regis

Answer 1

• small coastal town in Dorset
• England’s south coast
• lies on Jurassic Coast (famous for its fossils) - popular tourist destination (in summer, population 4k -> 15k)

Question 2

reasons for management

2

Answer 2

• long fetch waves here come from the SW - v.powerful - coastline is eroding more rapidly than any in Europe
• Cliffs to the E of town were prone to landslides - risk of death - especially after rain - muds + clays saturated w/water, this area was popular w/fossil hunters

Question 3

what coastal management strategy is used in Lyme Regis

hold the line, managed retreat, push the line like that

Answer 3

Hold the line - protect the coastline

Question 4

Why is hold the line used at Lyme Regis

Answer 4

Economic and historic value of Lyme Regis

Question 5

how was conflicts between different interest groups (property owners, fishermen, environmentalists) reduced

Answer 5

consultation meetings involving the public.

Question 6

How many phases in plan

Answer 6

4, but there is a plan for an upcoming phase 5. phase 3 wasn’t undertaken

Question 7

Phase 1

date, focus, 1 bullet point, date, 3 bullet points

Answer 7

Date: 1990s (completed 1995)
- new sea wall + promenade, E of mouth of River Lym

Winter of 03-04, emergency project completed:
- 100s of large nails used to hold rocks together to stabilise cliffs
- improving drainage
- re-profiling slope of beach

Question 8

Phase 2

date, focus, cost, 3 bullet points

Answer 8

Date: 2005-2007

Existing coastal defences deteriorating - extensive improvements made to sea front (£22M):
- new sea walls + promenades
- beaches replenished - absorb wave energy + increase use of shore (shingle dredged from English channel + sand imported from France)
- extension of rock armour at The Cobb & E. end of sea front to absorb wave NRG and help retain new beach

Question 9

Phase 3

date, 2 bullet points

Answer 9

Date: not undertaken

• Monmouth beach under threat from erosion + flooding
• however risks outweigh benefits so this phase was scrapped

Question 10

Phase 4

date, focus, cost, 2 bullet points

Answer 10

Date: 2013-2014

focused on coast E. of town (£19.5M):
- new 390m sea wall in front of existing wall - additional protection
- cliff stabilisation - protects 480 homes

Question 11

Phase 5

date, 3 bullet points

Answer 11

Date: to do

• upgrading historic Cobb + improving lighting & signage
• repair walkway along promenade
• continuing to strengthen the wall - especially in the area of The Cobbs

Question 12

Successes

4

Answer 12

• beaches renewed w/material -> more tourism (v.important for town’s economy)
• new promenade along sea front - can walk whole beach even at h. tide.
• more roads - more secure future for town’s ppl + businesses
• harbour is now better protected, benefiting boat owners & fishermen

Question 13

Failures

5

Answer 13

• some defences deteriorated - needed repair sooner than imagined - scheme cost extra + taken longer than expected
• expensive for such a small community - Phase 2 alone (£22M)
• prot. will only last ~50yrs - may hv to spend this much $ again
• touristic pollution - less historic charm
• less fossil material revealed cuz of lack of landslides