Priority Action 6 - Hythe Ranges

Hythe Ranges (19)

Present standard
Defences overtopped periodically (1:10 years) but with little flood water able to propagate beyond the boundary of the Range due to percolation into the shingle.

Proposed standard
1:10 years with consideration of improved protection to the Martello Towers.

Summary
Ongoing maintenance of the timber groynes by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) would increase the longevity of the shingle beach and ensure continued protection to the toe of the rock revetment. The rock armour stone forming the seaward face of the embankment, which extends over the whole frontage, should be regularly repaired. Due to the piecemeal approach to rock repairs adopted in the past the existing rock armour is not uniform in size. Further repairs would best be carried out by covering areas of undersized material with appropriately sized armour stone, i.e. treating the existing stone as an "underlayer".

This option would both secure the longevity of the remaining Martello Towers and maintain an acceptable flood defence standard. Prior to embarking on a maintenance programme a Beach Management Plan will need to be developed that includes a detailed monitoring programme. It will also be important that the Beach Management Plan recognises the operational constraints inferred by the presence of the MoD 'firing' Ranges and close liaison will need to be maintained between the MoD activities and maintenance activities to limit downtime of the Range. The standard of defence afforded by the option in the long-term may also be improved in response to climate change by increasing the height of the earth bund behind the beach.

Estimated cost over the next fifty years (£)
£630,000

Estimated benefit over the next fifty years (£)
£1,680,000

Implementation Plan (subject to competing national priorities and funding)
Undertake Scheme Appraisal (Year): 2003
Implement (Year): 2004/5

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For further information please contact: Robin Hayler