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This blog post was published under the 2010-2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

https://environmentagency.blog.gov.uk/2014/08/06/repairing-the-damage-in-dorset/

Repairing flood defences in Dorset

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Climate change, Flood

Work is well underway across Dorset and Wiltshire to repair damage caused by flooding and coastal storms. In this blog we hear from Mark Goldingay about the work to repair damaged assets. Assets are banks, pumping stations, sluices, gates and coastal flood defences we maintain to help manage flood risk.

After the biggest storms in25 years and the wettest winter on record, some of our flood defence structures were damaged and now need repairing.

All of the repairs need to be completed before winter. We know this is a challenging deadline, but we are committed to reducing flood risk for people and properties ahead of this winter.

My role is to plan and manage what needs repairing and where. Some of the damage has already been repaired, including the sea defences at Preston Beach and Chesil Cove Sea Wall. We completed the sea wall repairs on behalf of Weymouth & Portland Council.

I can still remember that iconic picture of The Cove Inn on Chesil beach being engulfed by a huge wave. Chesil beach took a pounding during the coastal storms last winter, and 150,000 cubic metres 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.

Photo shows work being carried out to the gabion 'castle' and crest of the shingle bank at Chesil beach in Portland, Dorset
Repairs underway to the gabion ‘castle’ and crest protection mattresses on Chesil beach in Portland

Other repair work that needs to be completed includes Wareham tidal bank repairs, Blandford pumping station and Allenview Culvert in Wimborne.

It’s really important that we keep you up to date, and let you know about the repair work and when it will be happening.  You can keep up to date with this information on the following:

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6 comments

  1. Comment by Robert posted on

    I certainly hope that our fishing licence money is not going to pay for sea wall repairs, civil engineering work of that type should be paid for by the Government and local Councils.
    How do we anglers find out how our subs are being used and who is secretly dipping in the pot?

    Reply
  2. Comment by Lucy Greenslade posted on

    Dear EA
    we are a local sixth form who study this area as part of the A level geography course. Are you able to give me any idea of what the repairs cost, or how many hours/weeks it took to repair?

    thanks Lucy Greenslade

    Reply
  3. Comment by Lucy Greenslade posted on

    Thanks Joz
    I have emailed them.
    Lucy

    Reply
  4. Comment by Claire Doyle posted on

    Hi Lucy did you ever hear back from the environment agency in regards to repair costs? My daughter is doing a project on whether the sea defences at Chiswell are cost effective. We can't find much info on repair costs. Any info you might have got would be v gratefully received.

    Reply

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