Coastal defence – is anything really indefensible?
Editor at Naturenet
Uncooperative crusty. Unofficial Isle of Wight cultural ambassador. Conservation, countryside and the environment, with extra stuff about spiders.
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Here on the Isle of Wight the Ranger is constantly reminded of the transient nature of coastlines, with some areas retreating in impressive chunks, especially at this time of the year. Many of us have come to terms with this situation, but others, it seems, are less sanguine – especially those whose properties are close to such coastlines. The Ranger is bothered by the demands of those who expect their properties to be defended at any cost. Few (bar some real loonies) would dispute that in most areas coastal defences only delay the inevitable, they will not stop coastal erosion. The cost of these constructions is pretty huge, and the cost, inevitably, is borne by the rest of us. On the Island, a sum of