Beach recycling in full swing to strengthen Norfolk flood protection

Work is underway to bolster natural flood defenses along the west coast of Norfolk as part of their yearly renewal.  

Beach recycling will see an expected 14,000 tons of sand and shingle will be moved around the beach from where it’s been deposited by the tidal movement of the sea. 

Sadia Moeed, Area Director for the Environment Agency, said: “Beach recycling is an incredibly important part of the work we do on the Norfolk coast. It’s vital the shingle ridge is kept in good condition to help reduce the risk of flooding to the communities behind it.”

The aggregate is taken north to Heacham and South Hunstanton to restore the shingle ridge along a 5km stretch of coastline.

The shingle ridge is a natural flood defence protecting more than 800 properties and 4,000 caravans. The recycling will be completed in time for ground nesting birds and tourists to arrive. 

To move thousands of tons of material, the Environment Agency uses three 30-tonne dumper trucks, two bulldozers and an excavator.