Chesil Beach Repair Work Completed

Emergency flood defense repair work to damage caused this year by a succession of winters storms on Chesil Beach in Portland, Dorset, will be completed on 2 October 2014 by the Environment Agency and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council.

The storms caused significant damage and cumulative impacts to the system of beach defenses at Chesil Cove and the two organizations have been working together to repair the damage caused.

Neil Watson for the Environment Agency said: “Chesil beach took a pounding during the coastal storms last winter, and 150,000 cubic meters of shingle was lost from the beach that protects Chiswell. We have been busy ever since, initially replenishing lost shingle and more recently, repairing the gabion castle and crest protection mattresses. This work provides key protection to the community of Chiswell and the road connecting Portland to Weymouth.

“We have worked closely with partners including framework contractors, other risk management authorities, emergency responders and the military. We have delivered value for money on the repairs by working closely with Weymouth and Portland Council and by using the same contractor.”

The Environment Agency continues to survey and gather data to inform future beach management and emergency response.