Morecambe, Lancashire, UK. 7th February, 2014. Dawlish problem! 'Rip Rap’ Permeable Rock armour or rock boulder barriers used as effective breakwaters against Storm Tides. Morecambe suffered flooding to 1300 properties in 1977 when piers were lost: A strategy adopted by the Local Authority to address coast protection and flood defence issues, by installtion of a wave reflection wall to achieve a programme of comprehensive improvement works including "soft" coastal defence works, 'fishtail' groynes and artificially nourished foreshores.
Lancaster City Council resolved to carry out major improvements to the Morecambe coastal defences as a direct result of the damage caused by a storm in 1997. A phased programme of construction of the Morecambe wave reflection wall commenced in 1982, backed by grant aid assistance from Central Government. In January 1983, during construction phase 2, large areas of Morecambe were flooding when the town's sea defences were overtopped again. The result damage was similar in scale to the 1977 event, but there were previously unrecorded patterns of flooding, and the Heysham Harbour gauge again failed to record the maximum high water level attained. A new strategy was adopted by the Local Authority to address coast protection and flood defence issues, which included not only the acceleration of the wave reflection wall programme, but a full assessment of the existing defences and investigation work to achieve a programme of comprehensive improvement works, along with an investigation into "soft" coastal defence options such as 'fishtale' groynes and artificially nourished foreshores. In 1987 the Local Authority resolved to undertake a series of schemes estimated to cost some £15 million. The works would be undertaken through a phased programme commencing in 1998 and achieving full completion in 2000. Construction work finally commenced following approval from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in 1989. In February 1990, two days worth of spring times and extreme storm conditions lead to further overtopping of coastal and river defences throughout Morecambe Bay. Widespread damage was influcted to the older sections of sea wall at Morecambe and Heysham. The total cost of repair was estimated at £2 million, with damage to properties estimated at £300,000. In May 1990, the coastal repairs programmes were reviewed, accelerated and increased. The total project estimated cost was increased from £15 million to £21 million.
Size: 3600px × 2400px
Location: Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, North-West England, UK
Photo credit: © MediaWorldImages / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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