case study: the opportunities presented by an area of coastline, the hazards associated with it and their management

•opportunities, hazards and management of Lyme Regis: 

•opportunities at Lyme Regis:

          •lots of fossils - UNESCO world heritage site “Jurassic Coast”

          •museums about fossils, providing educational value for schools 

          •lots of tourist attractions and fossil collectors 

                    •bridleways for hikers, aquarium and dinosaur-land for kids

                    •15,000 tourists in summer and 5000 in winter 

                    •hotel and B&B opportunities  

•hazards at Lyme Regis:

          •landslides: •waves undercutting cliffs

                             •soft clay rocks

                             •cliffs and beach aren’t all protected 

          •coastal erosion with longshore drift: •SW wind with high fetch

                                                                     •eroded beach offers little protection from the tide

                                                                     •fetch of 5000km, bringing powerful storms 

                                                                     •beach is very wide, offering little protection but lots of longshore drift

          •coastal management at Lyme Regis: 

Defence Method	Details	Explanation of the Effect	Benefits
Recurved Sea Wall	•150m sea wall  •replaces the old, worn wall near  the Cobb	•protects homes located behind •protects from Easterly winds •helps stop strong storms •redirects wave energy to other,  less important areas	•long-term protection against  destructive coastal erosion and  landslips •more sand and shingle on the  beach •possible to walk along the whole  beach, even during high tide •a new promenade along the  seafront especially near the town  centre •calmer condition for boats in the  harbour and bay •better access to public gardens,  including ramps for people using  wheelchairs and prams •re-landscaped public gardens with  more walks and beach will attract  tourists •road improvements •a more secure future for the town’s  people and businesses
Rock Armour	•extended •dropped where there is no beach	•the extension of the rock armour and  the new jetties all protect the  foreshore from waves and stop the  new beach being washed away
Stabilising Slope	•Lister Gardens was stabilised  •provides a natural look •protects ecology like reptiles and  dormice	•soil nailing means unstable ground  is pinned to firmer ground below,  reducing landslips •drainage improvements removes   water, which is a big factor in  landslips
Beach Replenishment	•was very narrow between the  harbour and the town centre •one sand and one shingle beach •sea wall may have eroded away •keeps beach tourism alive •more aesthetically pleasing	•extra sand and shingle on the  beach absorbs wave energy and  so protects the sea wall and the  foreshore from erosion