1. A Case Study of Coastline Management
Christchurch Bay
A Case Study of Coastline Management

2. Lesson Objectives To know how and why Christchurch Bay is managed.
To explain the effects of this management on people and the place

3. Will they be enjoying the beach at Barton on Sea 10 years from now?

4. Or holding special celebrations at Highcliffe Castle?

6. Eroded cliffs at Barton on Sea

7. Beach at Steamer Point, Mudeford
Highcliffe Castle
Beach at Steamer Point, Mudeford

8. Beach Huts at Mudeford, amongst the most expensive in Britain

9. The problem?
The ‘fetch’ - the S.W. prevailing wind blows all the way from Brazil with no land to catch the power of the waves
The rocks – weak sandstone and gravel beds lie on top of soft Gault clay. When the sandstone is wet it is heavy. The clay is weaker when it is wet and attacked by waves and gives way easily.
The groynes at Bournemouth and Christchurch (further west) Longshore drift is west to east. These groynes have trapped beach material and starved Highcliffe and Barton of new sand and shingle. The beach absorbs some of the power of the waves.

12. What has been done?

13. Revetment
Rock armour groynes

14. Long Groyne