Work to let nature reclaim Middle Beach enters final phase
This crucial work is a direct response to the effects of coastal erosion, accelerated by climate change, which has seen cliffs fall by up to four metres in a single night.
Work is beginning on the final phase of a five-year project to remove the failing coastal defences from Middle Beach, Studland, and allow the area to realign into a natural sandy cove and precious habitat for wildlife.
The work is scheduled from 8 September to 30 October, during which time the beach area will be closed for public safety. However, visitors can still access the car park, toilets and popular Sandy Salt Pig Café.
The long-term vision is to allow the cove to realign naturally, creating a coastline more resilient to future environmental challenges.
The National Trust believe that removing the sea defences will also enhance the habitat for wildlife.
The increased areas of open sand will benefit insects and reptiles such as rare sand lizards, adders and slow worms.
Sarah Coggins, Coast & Marine Adviser, said:
“Holding the cliff in place with a hard structure like gabion baskets means that the shoreline is not naturally aligned with the coast. When waves hit the gabions, they bounce off and cause erosion of the sand in front of the defences. Over time, this has caused a 350m section of the beach to be submerged by the tide most of the time making it inaccessible."
“Removing the artificial structures will allow the beach to replenish itself using sandy material from the cliff. "