UK largest coastal realignment scheme is complete

 Today Medmerry in Sussex sees it's coastal realignment scheme complete.

 In the past it has been one of the coastal stretches most at risk of flooding in southern England. There has been a shingle beach protecting the area but it required maintenance every winter to prevent coastal flooding during storms. With climate change and sea level rise increasing the risk the shingle beach is not a sustainable coastal protection method.

 As a result the Environment Agency has bought up land the size of 300 football pitches, which it will allow to flood, and built defences further inland.

The £28 million managed retreat scheme will protect 350 homes, a sewage plant and the main road to Selsey from once in a thousand years flooding with 7km of sea walls 2km in land. In addition the scheme will a new wetland wildlife habitat which will be managed by the RSPB. The scheme will also improve public access including new footpaths, cycle paths and bridleways, two small car parks and viewpoints.

This will make a great case study for coastal management. Also pupils could predict how the scheme will fare in the future.