Battery Point to Sandgate Castle (MU20/5 – 20/8)

At Battery Point there is a large rock groyne that acts as a collection point for shingle moved west to east by the prevailing wave climate. East of Battery Point there is a concrete promenade fronted by a shingle beach. The near-vertical seawall along this frontage has been breached as a result of undermining many times in the past and has now reached the end of its useful life. Beach material bypassing the Battery Point rock groyne, which acts as a hard boundary to the Hythe and Sandgate renourishment scheme, has increased beach levels in this area and consequently reduced the risk of a breach in the short-term.

At Sandgate, where the cliffline meets the coastline, the problem of flooding is replaced by the risk of coastal erosion. East of Princess Parade, through Sandgate to Folkestone, the failure of the seawall would result in the loss of toe support and protection to the cliffs that form the hinterland. The loss of the protective shingle beach and the seawall would cause the toe support to the ancient cliff slip to be lost, possibly initiating a reactivation of the slip.

Between Granville Parade and Coastguard Cottages there is a masonry wall with concrete coping. This is now at the end of its useful life and is subject to ongoing maintenance to maintain its integrity. The shingle beach in front of this seawall is locally held by four rock groynes, which were constructed in 1992.