Letter: Hold back the sea

Ralph Berney
Wednesday 09 September 1998 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: The sea defences for Salthouse, the shingle bank, should be strengthened, not abandoned ("That sinking feeling", 31 August).

The proposed clay bank defence, well inland from the shingle one, is a high-risk, high-cost and probably a highly ineffective scheme. The beach will be washed away. A clay bank on wet marsh will surely be undermined. Clay slides easily. Once the shingle bank disintegrates, ferocious seas will assault the clay.

Rather, bring in massive rocks by barge on high tides (as has been done elsewhere). Dig them in as footings to the shingle bank, pile a layer or two on top and in front. Drag an earth bank up from behind the shingle bank to lean against it.

Preserve the coast as it is. Sea defences can work.

RALPH BERNEY

Salthouse, Norfolk

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in