 |
| General view of the the diminished groyne |
 |
| Showing just how narrow the main channel has become. |
This is a blog recording various happenings on Pagham Beach in West Sussex on the south coast of the U.K. Although only set up in January 2014 previous mentions of the beach can be found on my paghambirder blog which is devoted to my lifelong hobby of birding but focused on sightings in and around Pagham Harbour.
Wednesday, 26 February 2014
The ever growing spit.
Friday, 21 February 2014
Various wide angle shots of work taking place on the final day of the current program..
...and it was the last day for the opportunity for discussing the beach 'problems' with the various agencies on a one to one basis...a useful (but perhaps overdue) exercise.
 |
| Looking westwards |
 |
| ...looking towards the bungalows |
 |
| ..looking to the east. |
 |
| looking seawards from the west side of the groyne. |
 | |
| and so it's goodbye to the excavators....until the next time!! |
Thursday, 20 February 2014
An important visit!
At 7.30 a couple of quad bikes sprouting GPS equipment raced past our bungalow, briefly stopped and then made off down the beach....
At 8.00 the JCB was back and was gingerly placing small boulders strategically on the new rock groyne.
...and now we await the arrival of Mr Eric Pickles Minister of State for
Communities and Local Government..............with baited breath!!
On a very wet unpleasant morning Mr Pickles arrives in the company of local M.P., Nick Gibb
He listened intently to several of the residents and responded sympathetically. I am sure a report will be available in the press and on Tv and on the Save Pagham Beach Facebook so I will not elaborate here!
Returning along the beach in bright sunshine it was apparent that rocks and shingle had been used to protect another wooden groyne nearer the yacht club.
...and so it goes on, but I understand all the work on the beach finishes tomorrow.
Next big Spring tide due end of next week....watch this space!
 |
| A quick survey |
 |
 |
| ...under expert guidance. |
Communities and Local Government..............with baited breath!!
On a very wet unpleasant morning Mr Pickles arrives in the company of local M.P., Nick Gibb
 |
| It wasn't too long after a short briefing... |
 |
| ...that the press descended on him! |
Returning along the beach in bright sunshine it was apparent that rocks and shingle had been used to protect another wooden groyne nearer the yacht club.
Next big Spring tide due end of next week....watch this space!
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
Saturday, 15 February 2014
After yet another stormy night.
More overnight shingle loss to the west of the revetment and scouring behind the new 'old' rocks on the eastern side
 |
| Scoured beach. |
 |
| Eastern side of groyne |
 |
| ...behind the rocks |
 |
| ...looking towards the groyne from the western side. |
Friday, 14 February 2014
A very wet day with another storm on the way!
Rain and wind eased at about 3.00pm and it was time for a quick look at the beach.
Little to report but photos below show the old groyne rocks on the beach....
This mornings shipping forecast for in-shore waters promised 'violent storm 11' later...so maybe its time to batten down the hatches....again!
Little to report but photos below show the old groyne rocks on the beach....
 |
| The rocks have been in place for less than a day but already look established! |
 |
| Looking towards the spit it appears the end is being shaved off by the new flow. |
 |
| Looking straight out showing the new 'old' rocks in position. |
Thursday, 13 February 2014
After the stormy day yesterday the weather improved dramatically and the sun shone for the beach work to continue during the afternoons low tide.
The No. 3 groyne was soon after attack ............
...and when the tide drops sufficiently it's back to the No.1 groyne to gather more rocks
This is how it used to look.....
...in December 2004!
The No. 3 groyne was soon after attack ............
 |
| Hazardous work. |
 |
| ...with more rocks taken off the end |
 |
| ...for the dumper to take along the beach |
...and when the tide drops sufficiently it's back to the No.1 groyne to gather more rocks
 |
 |
| A secondary spit can be seen forming behind this first groyne as the rocks are collected. |
 |
| View taken from the western end of the revetment looking towards the yacht club. |
Wednesday, 12 February 2014
The race against tide.
Early afternoon, as soon as the tide allowed, men and machinery were in action.
 |
| The end of the No.2 rock groyne was quickly removed |
 |
| ...and the rocks translocated up the beach |
 |
| ..and placed in a heap to the east side of the wood groyne. |
 | |||||
 |
| Then it was time to start dismantling the No.1 groyne |
 | ||||||||
...work progressed.
|
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
More shingle moving.
Although we are in a period of neap tides the landscape/seascape changes with every tide....the spit grows evermore and the off-shore spits too, are changing the outflow from the harbour. Each day we see a difference.
Work continues moving shingle to the eastern side of the groyne to prevent further short term erosion until the rocks from the ends of the existing rock groynes are used to assist this process....later this week.
Unusually high numbers of Gulls have been feeding off the spit at high tide and it seems there has been a veritable feast of marine fodder for them.....starfish, molluscs and many of these sea urchins.
 | ||
| In late afternoon sunshine. |
 |
| Shingle collection ... |
 | |
| ... for the vulnerable beach - a short term measure. |
 |
| Some of the hundreds of sea urchins being beached. |
Friday, 7 February 2014
Another selection of photos taken during the morning.....
 |
| Three wise men....viewing the situation...early a.m.. |
 |
| What next? |
 |
| Bring on the shingle movers....against a grey sky |
 |
 |
| Digging in front of a backdrop of distant Butlins |
....and chucking it behind the groyne
 |
| Lets see how long that will last! |
 |
| Should do the job for a few tides. |
 | |
| More on the way |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)