May 2023 update
Shortly, we will be resuming works on the Lydd Ranges Sea Defences Scheme. We expect the scheme to be complete at the end of 2023. The works we will complete this year and timings are summarised in the table below. The majority of the works are continuations of works from the previous years, using similar equipment and methodology, with two exceptions:
During the construction work, the section of the beach where we are working will be closed. For your own safety please follow the erected signage and do not enter the working areas.
South Brooks (green wall)
Earth embankment raising and strengthening. Material will be delivered by lorry directly into the range accessing via gate 6 and used to repair and raise low spots within the existing flood defence embankment.
Works remaining for 2023: 300m of the terramesh earth reinforcement to complete between June to October.
Installing new timber groynes
Construction of new 1.7 km timber groyne field, involving piling to install the groyne supports followed by horizontal planking to complete the structures.
Works remaining for 2023: Final planks to be installed prior to main beach nourishment campaign between July and August.
Beach nourishment in the newly constructed groyne field between Jury’s Gap and Wicks
Beach nourishment – importing additional shingle onto the beach to provide better protection against flooding from the sea.
Works remaining for 2023: The main beach nourishment campaign is scheduled for summer 2023. Shingle will be taken from the designated area using a large dredger, which will then take the material to the coast at Lydd and pump the shingle ashore using a pipeline that will be temporarily placed on the seabed. The pipeline will arrive ahead of the beach nourishment works taking place.
When the material reaches the beach, excavators, dump trucks, bulldozers and wheel loaders will distribute and profile the material within the groyne field. These will be operational on the beach 24 hours a day 7 days per week, working a tidal shift pattern. Main works between August and September with pipeline installation on the seabed in June and July.
Rock revetment
Work to extend the rock revetment. Rock was delivered in 2020 as part of the emergency works in response to storm damage. Much of this rock was placed into a rock revetment to protect the most vulnerable section of the embankment flood defence at Jurys Gap, with the remaining rock placed in a stockpile that you can see from the Jury’s Gap lookout.
Works remaining for 2023: Moving rock from the stockpile and placing the rock to extend the rock revetment eastwards to reinforce the green wall at Jury’s Gap. Rock will be moved using mechanised equipment on the beach. Some of the rock in the stockpile will also be moved to Shoreham via road. Between June to September.
Jury’s Gap to Wick’s access track
Works to refurbish the access track between Jury’s Gap and Wicks. At its peak this work will require 10 loads of concrete per day, which will be delivered by lorry.
Works remaining for 2023: Remaining 1,000m to complete between July and September.
Denge outfall
Works to relocate the existing Denge Marsh outfall control structures.
Works remaining for 2023: Install the valves, and demolish the existing control chamber and associated infrastructure between June and October.
November 2022 update
We have made good progress this year by removing the topsoil and existing vegetation along the earth embankment to enable the start of the installation of terramesh (a modular system that forms rock faced reinforced soil walls). We have also completed the groyne work at Jury’s Gap and the small beach nourishment campaign is complete. We expect to finish the scheme in 2023. Works to be undertaken in 2023 include: the main beach nourishment campaign and finishing works to the green wall and Denge Marsh outfall. For more information on progress made and the works remaining, please see below.
During the construction work, the section of the beach where we are working will be closed. For your own safety please follow the erected signage and do not enter the working areas.
Progress update on the scheme tasks
South Brooks (green wall)
Earth embankment raising and strengthening. Material will be delivered by lorry directly into the range accessing via gate 6 and used to repair and raise low spots within the existing flood defence embankment.
Progress in 2022: Existing vegetation and topsoil has been stripped and installation of the terramesh earth reinforcement.
Works remaining for 2023: 300m of the terramesh earth reinforcement to complete.
Installing new timber groynes
Construction of new 1.7 km timber groyne field, involving piling to install the groyne supports followed by horizontal planking to complete the structures.
Progress in 2022: The groyne works are almost complete.
Works remaining for 2023: Final planks to be installed prior to main beach nourishment campaign.
Beach nourishment in the newly constructed groyne field between Jury’s Gap and Wicks
Importing additional shingle onto the beach to provide better protection against flooding from the sea.
Progress in 2022: A smaller beach nourishment campaign was completed in September 2022.
Works remaining for 2023: The main beach nourishment campaign is scheduled for summer 2023. Shingle will be taken from the designated area using a large dredger, which will then take the material to the coast at Lydd and pump the shingle ashore using a pipeline. When the material reaches the beach, bulldozers and wheel loaders will distribute and profile the material. These will be operational on the beach 24 hours a day 7 days per week, working a tidal shift pattern.
Rock revetment
Work to extend the rock revetment. Rock was delivered in 2020 as part of the emergency works in response to storm damage. Much of this rock was placed into a rock revetment to protect the most vulnerable section of the embankment flood defence at Jurys Gap, with the remaining rock placed in a stockpile that you can see from the Jury’s Gap lookout.
Progress in 2022: no progress.
Works remaining for 2023: Moving rock from the stockpile and placing the rock to extend the rock revetment eastwards to reinforce the green wall at Jury’s Gap. Rock will be moved using mechanised equipment on the beach.
Jury’s Gap to Wick’s access track
Works to refurbish the access track between Jury’s Gap and Wicks. At its peak this work will require 10 loads of concrete per day, which will be delivered by lorry.
Progress in 2022: 1,000 m of access track refurbished.
Works remaining for 2023: 1,000 m left to refurbish.
Denge Marsh outfall
Works to relocate the existing Denge Marsh outfall control structures.
Progress in 2022: We have installed a cofferdam (a temporary dam) to keep the area dry while we are working; we have excavated a space for the valve chamber (this prevents seawater flowing into the outfall) and constructed the valve chamber out of concrete.
Works remaining for 2023: Install the valves and demolish the existing control chamber and associated infrastructure.
August 2022 update
We have made good progress so far this year; however, due to nesting avocets, the main beach nourishment campaign has been delayed until next year (2023). To top up the beach before this coming winter, a smaller beach nourishment campaign will take place over 4 weeks from mid-August 2022, similar to that carried out last year.
The table below provides an update for the various work elements of the scheme that we have carried out between April and October 2022.
During the construction work, the section of the beach where we are working will be closed. For your own safety please follow the erected signage and do not enter the working areas.
May 2022 update
We have now resumed work on the Lydd Ranges Sea Defence Scheme.
The table below provides a progress update for the various work elements of the scheme and sets out the works we propose to carry out between now and October 2022 (inclusive). The vast majority of the timber to complete the construction of the timber groynes has been prepared over the winter. Any remaining timber preparation works at the Jurys Gap site compound will be for no more than 4 hours during the day at high-tide with noise barriers in place.
During the construction work, the section of the beach where we are working will be closed. For your own safety please follow the erected signage and do not enter the working areas.
March 2022 update
Works on the scheme will resume in April 2022. From March, we will be getting ready to continue the work and you will see increased activity.
This year, 2022, we propose to carry out the following works between April and October (inclusive):
The vast majority of the timber has been prepared over the winter. Any remaining timber works will be for no more than 4 hours during the day at high-tide with noise barriers in place.
During this work, the section of the beach where we are working will be closed. For your own safety please follow the erected signage and do not enter the working areas.
November 2021 to March 2022 Update
We have created a video which summarises the work at Lydd Ranges this year, click here to view.
Construction will take place over 3 years, with construction works being undertaken during the spring, summer and autumn months each year. The on-site works commenced in July this year and works undertaken to date include:
This update provides details of the works proposed for December 2021 to March 2022:
Between December 2021 and February 2022 we are restricted with the construction activities that can be undertaken due to overwintering birds. As a result, a reduced workforce will be on-site during this period to undertake the following activities:
September and October 2021 Update
Construction of the scheme will take place over 3 years, with works being undertaken during the spring, summer and autumn months each year. The on-site works commenced in July and works undertaken to date include:
Groynes being constructed at nearby Hythe Ranges
Works proposed for September and October 2021 include:
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If you have any queries about the scheme or would like to sign up for our email circulation list please contact us via our project inbox at lyddranges@environment-agency.gov.uk.
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