Site Meeting at Dungeness

DOC  arranged  a site meeting  with key stakeholders at two crucial locations on the Marsh, i.e. Dungeness and Galloways,  which took place this afternoon.  The purpose of this site visit was to  demonstrate to Government Agencies the need for urgency to address the issue of much needed interim coastal protection measures until the entire proposed sea defence scheme for  Romney Marsh can be successfully implemented.

Representatives  from  British Energy, DOC, the Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Board, MOD and Natural England initially visited Dungeness to see at first hand the surplus accretion of shingle in this location. The accretion has occurred over the past few years since recycling of shingle  from here to Jury’s  Gap had been halted. Renewed recycling of this material potentially would not only  shore up  areas in other vulnerable locations along our coastline,  but would also be cost saving to the taxpayer!

Moving on to Galloways we were able to see at first hand a stark contrast - the visible loss of much needed  shingle , leaving the area extremely vulnerable to flooding, particularly in adverse weather conditions. The depletion of shingle on the Lydd Ranges was also very much in evidence from this vantage point and it was agreed that urgent discussions will need to take place in order to prevent a potential disaster occurring  in the Autumn when high Spring tides will return.

The site meeting proved to be very productive and encouraging but it will take a positive approach by Government Agencies to achieve the desired result and prevent the Marsh from flooding. At present  flood protection for the Marsh is at its absolute minimum in many locations  and we really have no time to lose! A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for the 20 July 2010.