FORESHORE EROSION

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 52, 29 August 1925, Page 8

FORESHORE EROSION

TROUBLE AT EASTBOURNE

ANOTHER REPORT SUBMITTED,

The foreshore at Eastbourne has been giving cause for anxiety for some years, and this winter the erosion has been considerable, especially from Hinau street southwards. Some months ago it was decided to erect groynes at Kiosk Point, or, as older residents know it, Mantell's Point, so as to prevent sand drift to the northwards during southerly weather. A number of these groynes have already been put in position, and although not long existent, have already proved their usefulness in preventing scour and drift. In ' fact, the Mayor of Eastbourne (Mr. H. M. Jones) declared last evening that already there were signs_ that the beach was making in the vicinity of the new groynes. The work at Kiosk Point, however, will not benefit the foreshore in the vicinity of Hinau and Kauri streets where the scour is the worst, and for that reason the Eastbourne Borough Council has obtained a leport from Messrs. R. W. Holmes and Son on the subject. This was submitted to the council la«t evening and referred to the Works Committee with power to act. "The key to the whole position with regard to the erosion," said the report, "iB the promotion of an extension of ths point at the kiosk, and thus provide a means of arresting the travel of the sand round the point. When this has been accomplished the sand will bank up against the point, forming accretions which will gradually extend southwards to an extent in proportion to the extension of the Kiosk Point.

"The position, however, nas become so acute in the vicinity of Hinau and Kauri streets that prevention of further erosion is necessary. The simplest and cheapest method of prevention is by means of groynes constructed as already recommended for Kiosk Point.

"in a previous report it was explained that tha supply of sand came from around Peccarrow Head, and was carried along the beach during southerly storms. Now, if the drift be arrested at any place south of Kiosk Point, denudation j between such place and the point is 'sure to occur, therefore, the construction of groynes in the vicinity of Hinau and Kauri streets must be limited in extent, and accretions of a moderate quantity only bo permitted, imless groynes be constructed the whole distance to the point. "Erosion along the foreshore appears to have been very extensive. The whole of tho esplanade between orto chain and one and a half chains in width has been lost for a considerable distance, nnd now private lands are being encroached •upon. The result is that these lands have already been depreciated in value through the loss of the esplanade, and ore being still further depreciated through loss ot area and security. "We recommend," says tho report, "That the construction of the groynes at Kiosk Point be vigorously proceeded ■with, and extended and raised from time to time, and the number be increased if found necessary. Also that the limited groynes, which are to be regarded as temporary only, be constructed in the vicinity of Hinau _ and Kauri streets as already described. When accretions northwards to Kiosk Point have been made sufficiently then these groynes may be removed and the materials used in extending those at the Point."

During the discussion which ensued, Councillor Black, chairman of the Works Committee, pointed out that the erection of the proposed groynes depended very largely on whether the council could afford to make the necessary expenditure. At present the borough was working with a small staff, and only one horse, and it was hardly possible to do any more than attend to the roads. He thought the matter o£ the groynes should receive attention, as the safety of a portion of the borough depended on them.

Tho Mayor said that the work would have to be carried out, and he mentioned several ratepayers who had protested against' any delay in putting in thp groynes. He read a letter from Dv Platts-Mills, who drew the council's attention to the damage done to her pru perty by the sea, , The property r» lerred to is on the Marine Parade, Mv ritai, near Hinau street. The letter stated that the sea was causing her "dcs perate anxiety," and she had already in conjunctipn with her neighbours, spent a great deal of money in protective works which she believed had saved the sections from complete destructiou She considered, however, that the n sponsibility rested with the council Every southerly was a menace to tht> safety of the houses from Hinau street along the parade southwards, five i* number.

After further discussion it was decided to proceed with the work as soon as ai rangements had been made with resid ents in the vicinity of Hinau street t« contribute towards the cost on a basv to bo mutually arranged between ths council and residents along the for» shore.