Soft Cliffs: prediction of recession rates and erosion control techniques, examples and publication

This project explored the best ways of predicting how cliffs will erode and provided guidance on the best way of managing soft cliffs for conservation.

• From: Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Research and Development Programme and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 12 February 2021

• Category: Understanding risks from all sources of flooding
• Topics: Adaptation, Climate change, Coast, Coastal erosion, Deterioration, Flood forecasting, Flood risk assessment, Hydrology, Natural capital, Sea level rise, Understanding physical processes
• Project status: Completed
• Project code: FD2403
• Date of completion: 31 July 2002

Documents

Soft cliffs: prediction of recession rates and erosion control techniques - examples and publication - final report (1MB) PDF

Soft cliffs: prediction of recession rates and erosion control techniques - examples and publication - summary (74KB) WORD

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Details

In order to manage coastal cliffs it’s important to have access to accurate and reliable information on the way the cliffs have receded in the past and how they’re likely to do so in the future. This helps assess the level of risk to coastal communities, and the management strategies and erosion control techniques that might be suitable for different cliff environments.

This study developed ways of predicting the rates at which cliffs will erode for different types of landscape around the coast. It also developed a method for taking accurate measurements and recording actual recession rates. It reviewed ways of reducing and controlling erosion and identified the factors that are relevant when managing soft cliffs for conservation.

It provides state of the art guidance for coastal engineers and planners on how to manage eroding cliffs. It also stresses the need to consider both structural and non-structural solutions to cliff recession problems.

The project started in 2001 and was completed in 2002 at a cost of £29,635.

Published 12 February 2021