Work is underway on phase one of a major beach recycling project which, when complete, will provide improved protection against flooding to approximately 5,500 homes located in and around the town of Sheerness.
The Sheerness Beach Recycling Scheme is being delivered by Team Van Oord on behalf of the Environment Agency, East Kent Engineering Partnership and subcontractor Ovenden Earthmoving.
Work got underway in Mid December 2017 and phase one is scheduled for completion by mid-February, according to TVO.
This first phase alone will protect some 3,000 homes, and by the time the scheme is complete that number will rise to 5,500 homes.
The replenishing works are being carried out in the area between Garrison Point and Sheerness Sailing Club, nr Bartons Point, which fronts the town of Sheerness and the large village of Minster.
The land is low lying in the west and the beach and defenses protect a large flood basin which covers the majority of Sheerness and surrounding areas. The current Standard of Protection against overtopping within the Sheerness and Minster frontage is currently above one in 200 years for its whole length.
The beaches at Garrison Point and east of the Neptune Jetty are being used as extraction sites. The shingle that naturally accumulates in these two areas is being utilized to recharge depleted sections along the rest of the beach.
As part of the project, Team Van Oord is also appraising the structural condition of the stepped revetment adjacent to the Tesco store, Neptune Jetty and the landward face of the rock revetment at Bartons Point. TVO will then detail any repair works required and put forward recommendations as to the preferred options for carrying out any repairs.