The Seascapes of Eastbourne and Pevensey Bay extend over 8 millenia into the past.

They have evolved naturally and through human engineering intervention.

This unique marine environment is now threatened with incursions by the sea.

Current defense strategies are inadequate. ineffective and costly to the environment and tax paying public.

Alternative, more effective and environmentally sustainable solutions are proposed within this study.

Project Overview

The study was initiated in November 2021 as an academic exercise to look at human habitation and exploitation of the coastline between Beachy Head and Cooden.
This research also uncovered the history of the shingle and wooden groyne sea defenses which are now under threat from sea level rise and poor management decisions. The larger cobbles and shingle present 30 years ago have been replaced by a mix of sand and small rounded pebbles easily washed away and assimilated into the sand deposits along the low tide zone. This is now impacting on the ecosystem and often many beaches are often inaccessible below high water due to a rare geological phenomenon known as "cliffing".
With this revelation a project set out to define the processes moving the shingle and design a barrier to remove the wave energy. It also looked at alternative solutions to the above, i.e. replacing the current shingle-sand ballast with grey cobbles recovered locally. Deposits are likely to exist along the back beach between the Redoubt and Langley Point and beneath a veneer of sand along the low tide zone.
As research into the barrier proceeded it became apparent there is potential for tide and wave energy to be generated. Two devices are being developed that will be incorporated into the barrier design making the project commercially feasible, therefore, attract private investment.

Coastal Defense

The concept of installing a partially submerged wave barrier (PSWB) to stop longshore drift and beach erosion has been researched and offered as a solution to the Environment Agency, but as yet there has been no comment back.
Installation presents the long-term solution to various problems associated with ongoing, accelerating rising sea levels and damaging storm events.
Construction of the PSWB will incorporate considerable amounts of unwanted coal cinder waste, also known as fly ash, and used tyres. It will enclose two lagoons that would provide opportunities for marine research and a safer water sports park.
The Environment Agency proposal involves building a larger sea wall, if this is realised the beach deposits will still have to be maintained in order to protect the wall foundations.
The current sediment load consists predominantly of unsuitable rounded pebbles and sand. Several beaches at the western limit of Holywell have been naturally recharged with grey cobbles, which have stabalised the beaches.

Maritime Energy

Feasibility studies for a tide and wave energy system are ongoing.
Two devices for wave and tidal power generation are being developed.
These are being designed to be integrated within the proposed PSWB.
The proposed devices are on the same scale as wind turbines.
It is estimated from early trials that 100 of these devices would power 350,000-400,000 homes.
Updates on progress will appear on this site as and when available.
If successful it is hoped to attract private investment to proceed.
The PSWB will form an integral part of this system, and recoup development and building costs.

Maritime Cultural Heritage

For traditional maritime culture wooden boats represent the pinnacle of that cultures technological ability and understanding of the natural marine environment.

Along the coastline between Beachy Head and Cooden wooden boats have virtually disappeared, having been replaced by fiberglass and steel alternatives steadily over the 1970s.
Despite a vibrant clinker, wooden boat building industry less than a century ago, that produced several designs from dinghies to long distance fishing boats, the only surviving example is the Southern Queen, seen in the photo above during her day-trip heyday. The story of these times has been captured in two books by Ted Hide and some of the information is being used to get a better understanding of how Eastbourne's recent maritime community functioned.
A presumed medieval clinker built boat is buried close to the roundabout at the Lottbride Drove - Seaside junction and is being investigated to look at possible of similarities in building sequences with the Southern Queen.
When William the Conqueror landed the sea was much further inland and Pevensey Castle still navigable. The ships were clinker built, as were those of the Vikings and Anglo Saxons who preceded the Normans.
The boats and ships of the Romans and early Iron Age Celts were built with a smooth outer skin. i.e. the planks were laid edge on rather than lapped. The two boats were different in their design and are not thought to be related to the Southern Queen.

The Southern Queen is currently being restored by a group of volunteers in one of the old sheds at the fishing station near Princess Park. Applications for heritage grants are underway to help secure funding for the project. If anybody reading this website has or knows of an elm tree that is about to be felled please contact the guys at Allchorn Marine.

More information can be found on the website at https://allchornmaritime.org.uk/southern-queen/

Environmental Baseline Suvey

Human exploitation continues to impact severely on the marine environment. In particular destruction of habits and a variety plastics and poisons contribute contribute to the losses of the indigenous fauna and flora along the coastline between Beachy Head and Cooden.

The Environmental Baseline Survey, EBS, will be underpinned by analysis of pertinent studies conducted in the past. Data collection is already underway and findings published on an QGIS database, soon accessible via this site

Readers interested in participating please complete the appropriate form below.

WELCOME

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