Photo 7 (Return)

Central Barton-on-Sea, 2001. Beginning in the 1960s, a series of protection measures were implemented with the aim of achieving a full cliff stabilisation of the eroding Barton Clay cliffs that have threatened the cliff top residential developments. Works involved the following elements: (i) timber and rock revetments and groynes with gravel recharge to protect the cliff toes and (ii) regrading and drainage of the slopes to reduce instability. Initial stabilisation was only partially effective and in the winter of 1974/75 deep-seated failures occurred below the works and several properties were lost. In spite of continued management efforts instability periodically continues to affect the slope and small failures and falls occur at the backscar. In attempting to stabilise these cliffs, the natural supply of sands and plateau gravels from the cliffs has been halted and upper beach drift is largely controlled.