Huge coastal defence scheme underway in East Sussex
The project in Pevensey and Eastbourne's pinned to become one of the UK's biggest of its kind
Thousands of homes and businesses are being protected from flooding in East Sussex as a huge coastal defence scheme gets underway.
The work is hoped to protect Pevensey and Eastbourne from rising sea levels and stronger storms.
This year, £8 million is being spent doing up defences, including bringing in 50 double decker buses worth of shingle - and seven lorry loads of timber.
It'll protect 3,000 homes and businesses from flooding while longer-term plans are developed.
Amber Carr, Beach manager of Pevensey Bay, said:
"Spring is one of our busiest times on the beach, and it’s great to see the programme in full swing.
"The shingle bypassing works are a smart way of keeping sediment where it needs to be — rather than letting it build up at the harbour; we’re moving it along the coast to where it does the best.
"The delivery of timber for the new wave screens is another important step, and we’re looking forward to seeing that work come together later in the summer.
"This is a dedicated local team doing vital work to keep coastal communities safe." The project is pinned to eventually become one of the UK's biggest of its kind, protecting over 5000 homes across 15 kilometres of coastline in the next decade.