In the British Isles coastal areas have always attracted settlement. People come for a holiday or they might have a second home by the sea. Many retired people also live near the sea, seeking a quiet and refreshing place to spend the rest of their lives. Tourism has also spread up the coastline bringing more people and so more resources have been set up to accommodate them. Pathways have been built along the coast to bring easy access to the tourists. However, along Britain's coasts, erosion is taking place which potentially destroys cliffs, houses and moves beaches. Coasts are managed to keep the sea out and to keep the beach in.
In 1990, Mappleton was under threat from losing 30 houses along the coast of Holderness. Its main road would've disappeared into the sea and would be very expensive to rebuild. So, a coastal management scheme was set up. Blocks of granite were imported from Norway so two groynes could be built. This would trap the beach sediment that is being eroded away due to longshore drift. This would then absorb some of the energy from the waves so less energy would be directed on the cliff's side. This would reduce erosion. Many people thought that Mappleton should just be allowed to disappear into the sea, however it is very difficult to express this. Groynes are very expensive to make and last for approximately ten years. Even though these can look ugly, the beach 'collected' does absorb more energy. The cliffs of Mappleton are also made up of clay and sand and the waves can wash this away very easily. This is why Mappleton have also invested in a sea wall to add extra defence from the waves. These costs are very expensive because the wall and groynes need to be maintained however it is necessary if there are a lot of people to protect.
In 1990, Mappleton was under threat from losing 30 houses along the coast of Holderness. Its main road would've disappeared into the sea and would be very expensive to rebuild. So, a coastal management scheme was set up. Blocks of granite were imported from Norway so two groynes could be built. This would trap the beach sediment that is being eroded away due to longshore drift. This would then absorb some of the energy from the waves so less energy would be directed on the cliff's side. This would reduce erosion. Many people thought that Mappleton should just be allowed to disappear into the sea, however it is very difficult to express this. Groynes are very expensive to make and last for approximately ten years. Even though these can look ugly, the beach 'collected' does absorb more energy. The cliffs of Mappleton are also made up of clay and sand and the waves can wash this away very easily. This is why Mappleton have also invested in a sea wall to add extra defence from the waves. These costs are very expensive because the wall and groynes need to be maintained however it is necessary if there are a lot of people to protect.