Describe Medmerry’s location
Located in the south of England, East of Portsmouth in Bracklesham Bay
What is managed retreat/coastal realignment?
Process of removing existing flood defences to allow previously protected, low-lying coastal areas to flood naturally, usually to create new habitats like saltmarshes
Why did Medmerry need a coastal realignment scheme?
- Faced flooding from the sea due to rising sea levels.
- In 2008, over £5million in damage caused.
How had they previously dealt with flooding?
- £200,000 spent on beach re-profiling /yr since 1990.
- Seawall which was often breached.
What was the Medmerry Coastal Realignment Scheme?
Largest coastal realignment project in Europe + first in the UK.
Delivered by Environmental Agency (UK).
When did the Medmerry Coastal Realignment Scheme take place?
2011-2014
How much did the scheme cost?
£28million
What strategies did the Medmerry Coastal Realignment Scheme implement?
- 110m breach -> managed retreat, creating salt marshes as natural defence against erosion.
- Constructed 7km clay embankment (local rock) to protect properties behind it.
- 60,000 tonnes of Norwegian rock armour on seaward edges of embankment.
What were 2 social benefits of the scheme?
- Only 1/1000 chance of flooding w/ defences lasting for over 100 years.
- Now has footpaths, bike paths + bridleways compared to 2 pathways.
What were 2 economic benefits of the scheme?
- Economic boost from green tourism + caravan parks have been able to extend season (Medmerry Park).
- Expensive salt-marsh beef produced from extensive cattle-farming on salt marsh.
What were 2 environmental benefits of the scheme?
- Land is now huge nature reserve managed by RSPB.
- 183 hectares of new intertidal habitat important to wildlife on international level.
What was a social cost of the scheme?
- Not received well by Somerset residents who would’ve liked money to dredge their rivers + reduce flooding.
What were 2 economic costs of the scheme?
- Good agricultural land was abandoned, leading to loss of 3 farms.
- April 2024, storm Kathleen breached sea defences + damaged Medmerry Holiday Park + has resulted in closure.
What was an environmental cost of the scheme?
- Habitats of existing species disturbed.
