A bit of Norway in England
Folkestone is located where the southern edge of the North Downs, escarpment meets the sea. In contrast to the white cliffs at Dover further to the east, the cliffs at Folkestone are composed of Greensand and Gault Clay. A small stream, Pent Brook, cuts through the cliffs at this point, and provided the original haven for fishermen and cross-channel boats. The cliffs are constantly under attack from the sea: the original headlands, which once protected the port, ceased to do so, and artificial protection, in the form of breakwaters and piers have been necessary since the 17th century.
Hythe to Folkestone Harbour is heavily defended by a shingle beach which undergoes bi-annual recycling following the 2004 Hythe to Folkestone coast protection scheme, which introduced 360,000m3 of shingle dredged from an offshore location and new rock groynes and a rock headland.
250,000 tonnes of armour rock were delivered from Norway in order to construct the groynes and headland to different designs and specifications. The rock was transported by barge from a quarry in Norway. It was then moored 2km off the shoreline and unloaded into smaller 'trans-shipment' barges, which transported and deposited the rock on the beach. Large excavators fitted with rock grapples then placed the rocks into designated shapes to form the structure.
This was built in 2004 and provides protection against erosion at the Folkestone end and protection against flooding at the western end of this 8km long frontage, in support of the current ‘Hold The Line’ Shoreline Management Plan Policy. It comprised the construction of 7 new rock groynes, beach renourishment and extensions and improvements to sea walls and revetments, with associated improvements to beach amenities such as slipways and promenades. The design standard of protection was 1 in 200 years, which is maintained by ongoing shingle recycling and other beach management.
East of Folkestone Harbour is a wide sandy beach, backed by a series of concrete arches to protect the cliffs from eroding.
A bit of Norway in England
Folkestone is located where the southern edge of the North Downs, escarpment meets the sea. In contrast to the white cliffs at Dover further to the east, the cliffs at Folkestone are composed of Greensand and Gault Clay. A small stream, Pent Brook, cuts through the cliffs at this point, and provided the original haven for fishermen and cross-channel boats. The cliffs are constantly under attack from the sea: the original headlands, which once protected the port, ceased to do so, and artificial protection, in the form of breakwaters and piers have been necessary since the 17th century.
Hythe to Folkestone Harbour is heavily defended by a shingle beach which undergoes bi-annual recycling following the 2004 Hythe to Folkestone coast protection scheme, which introduced 360,000m3 of shingle dredged from an offshore location and new rock groynes and a rock headland.
250,000 tonnes of armour rock were delivered from Norway in order to construct the groynes and headland to different designs and specifications. The rock was transported by barge from a quarry in Norway. It was then moored 2km off the shoreline and unloaded into smaller 'trans-shipment' barges, which transported and deposited the rock on the beach. Large excavators fitted with rock grapples then placed the rocks into designated shapes to form the structure.
This was built in 2004 and provides protection against erosion at the Folkestone end and protection against flooding at the western end of this 8km long frontage, in support of the current ‘Hold The Line’ Shoreline Management Plan Policy. It comprised the construction of 7 new rock groynes, beach renourishment and extensions and improvements to sea walls and revetments, with associated improvements to beach amenities such as slipways and promenades. The design standard of protection was 1 in 200 years, which is maintained by ongoing shingle recycling and other beach management.
East of Folkestone Harbour is a wide sandy beach, backed by a series of concrete arches to protect the cliffs from eroding.