Shoreline stabilisation: Lessons from south Wales

Abstract

Shoreline stabilisation in South Wales was driven by historical industrial development. Coal from the hinterland was brought to the shore, especially during the nineteenth century for use in metal industries that were located on the coast, and for export. At that time coastline impacts were not understood and development legacies have proven to be environmentally and financially expensive. Even when early in the twentieth century seawall and groyne impacts were recognised, coastal defence strategies still followed previous patterns. With industrial decline, economic regeneration has been supported by coastal location but unfortunately, lessons from the past have not been learned. Case studies show damage to new developments resulted from inappropriate infrastructure location, while undermined seawalls are now being protected by rock armour. This is becoming increasingly serious as there is little available funding to undertake effective remedial measures. It is concluded that new strategies which consider prevailing coastal processes are needed for long-term management; otherwise paving the shoreline may become more common on the Welsh coastline.