Dymchurch Seawall: Martello Tower 23 to Willop Basin (MU18/12)

The high clay embankment is sheathed by an extremely wide masonry sloping apron, topped with a concrete pavement and a high integral rear wall, whose crest is 7mOD. Both the pavement and rear wall are of recent construction. However, the apron itself is extremely old and extensively patched. The foot of the apron in several areas consists of cemented in large pebbles/small boulders. Despite the recent reconstruction works, the development of "breaches" in the apron, by displacement of masonry blocks and spalling of the concrete skin is a possibility.

The width of the ungroyned sandy foreshore reduces from 150m at Martello Tower 23 to 50m midway along the frontage, before increasing again to 100m opposite Willop Basin.

The risk of overtopping is significant, due to the low rear wall crest. Considerable quantities of spray can clear the wall crest, because the low beach levels at the apron toe allow waves to impact on the upper part of the apron. A breach could occur as a result of backslope failure as the rear embankment slope is sandy and prone to scour, even under moderate overtopping.