Lydd Ranges Sea Defence Completed

The Lydd Ranges Sea Defence scheme has been completed, delivering enhanced flood protection to Romney Marsh for the next 25 years. This £40 million project, located on the Ministry of Defence (MoD) firing range, was finalized within four years and represents a significant advancement in coastal defence.

Transforming Lydd and Romney Marsh

Lydd and the surrounding Romney Marsh area have long been vulnerable to flooding, especially with much of the region lying below high tide level.

The recent completion of the sea defence scheme marks a turning point, providing crucial protection to 14,500 homes, 700 businesses, and vital infrastructure. As storms such as Dennis and Ciara have shown, the need for robust coastal defences is paramount.

The project, part of the broader Folkestone to Cliff End Strategy (FoCES) approved in 2010, is designed to manage flood and erosion risks along the Romney Marsh coastline for the next century.

By incorporating the latest innovations in flood defence, the scheme addresses the challenges posed by climate change, ensuring the safety and resilience of this environmentally sensitive area.

Features of this Project

At the heart of the Lydd Ranges Sea Defence scheme are several critical elements that enhance its effectiveness and sustainability:

• Beach Replenishment: Over 390,000 tonnes of shingle were imported from a licensed marine source to bolster the beach, reinforcing the shoreline against erosion.
• Timber Groynes Installation: Thirty-three new timber groynes were installed east of Jury’s Gap, alongside the refurbishment of two existing groynes, extending the protection along the coastline.
• Rock Revetment Construction: A 1-kilometre rock revetment was constructed at Jury’s Gap to provide additional stability and defence against the sea.

Innovative and Sustainable Practices

One of the standout features of the project is its commitment to sustainability. The use of biofuels in all land-based equipment reduced CO2 emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional fuels.

Additionally, the project employed low-carbon concrete, which incorporates basalt reinforcement, achieving CO2 savings of up to 88%. This approach aligns with the UK’s broader goals of reducing carbon footprints and promoting environmental stewardship.

The project also included the crushing of old concrete from the MoD access track, repurposing it as a sub-base for the new roadway. This not only minimized waste but also reduced the need for new materials, further contributing to the project’s sustainability goals.

Collaboration and Success

The success of the Lydd Ranges Sea Defence scheme is a testament to the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders. The Environment Agency, MoD, Natural England, and construction partners such as Van Oord UK Ltd worked in unison to overcome the challenges posed by the project.

The integration of expertise from diverse fields ensured that the scheme was not only completed on time but also met the highest standards of environmental and operational excellence.

Sally Harvey, Area Director of the Environment Agency, noted,

“The completion of the Lydd Ranges Scheme is a significant milestone in our continued efforts to enhance coastal flood protection. I am proud of what has been achieved in carbon-saving innovation, and I would like to thank our partners for their commitment to reducing CO2 emissions.”

Securing the Future of Lydd Ranges

For the MoD, the project is particularly significant as it secures the operational future of the Lydd Ranges.

Lt Col Adrian Hunter MBE, MoD Commander of Defence Training Estates South East, highlighted the importance of the scheme:

“The successful collaboration with our partners has secured the ability to support UK and partner nation defence outputs at Lydd for some time. This initiative underscores the power of teamwork in addressing complex environmental challenges while maintaining military training capabilities.”

To Summarize

The Lydd Ranges Sea Defence scheme stands as a model of innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. By protecting the Romney Marsh area from flooding and erosion, this project ensures the safety of thousands of homes and businesses while supporting the ongoing operations of the MoD.

As the region looks to the future, the completion of this scheme marks a significant step forward in coastal protection.

The Lydd Ranges Sea Defence project not only shields the coastline but also sets a precedent for future projects in sustainable coastal management.

Sources: THX News & Environment Agency.