Urgent repair work to protect 57 homes from the sea in Weymouth
Work will start on Monday on improving the sea defences at Preston Beach
The Environment Agency are due to start urgent work to improve Preston beach sea defences on Monday.
They say the work will better protect 57 properties and two sensitive environmental sites in Weymouth.
The work has become necessary following a series of storms and wet winters in 2019 and 2020.
The Environment Agency will reinstate and maintain the existing rock armour along approximately 150m of Preston Beach to improve the current protection. The £440k project is being funded by DEFRA Flood Defence Grant in Aid.
How the project will help
When complete the project will improve the resilience of the beach against future storms and continue to provide reduced flood risk for people and property. In addition, two important environmental sites, Lodmoor Site of Specific Scientific interest and RSPB nature reserve, that sit behind Preston Beach will benefit from the reinstated sea defences.
It's hoped the project will also reduce the cost of maintaining the defences by repairing areas damaged by wave action and limiting the loss of shingle. The shingle in front of the promenade plays an important role by reducing the potential for waves overtopping the sea wall.
Disruption
The work is expected to take six weeks. During this time the beach will be closed to the public between 7.00 am – 7.00 pm Monday to Saturday. The South West coast path and promenade will remain open, around deliveries, for the duration of the works.
Giles Lord, Environment Agency Project Manager said:
“During the works our contractor, Kier, will be moving materials along the beach so it is crucial for everyone’s safety that we close the beach during working hours. We apologise for any inconvenience caused but believe the start of work on Preston Beach is great news for the area. This is critical work which will provide continued flood resilience for 57 homes in Weymouth.”