The policy of managed realignment means that
all of the groynes and breastwork around East
Head will be removed. They will be removed
in stages to avoid dislodging too much
sediment at one time. There is no provision to
monitor and if necessary adapt the policy if the
effects are harmful. Any damage that has
already been caused may well be irreparable.
Reasonable precautions have been part of
previous drafts of the Strategy, but inexplicably
they have been eliminated from the
consultation document. Removal of the groynes will erode the hinge and flood West Wittering car park
The proposal has therefore failed to address the many threats; to navigation, to marine businesses, to the
safety of homes and shoreline further up the harbour, to wildlife habitats and to the enjoyment and wellbeing
of residents and visitors.
Two years ago in the Autumn of 2004 there was deep concern amongst local communities about the
erosion of East Head. It was feared that the sea would break through the Hinge and create a second
channel, with an unpredictable effect on the harbour and shoreline.
The final breakthrough was prevented and in June 2005 the Hinge was strengthened with 13,000 tons of
shingle. Now the threats of two years ago appear to have receded and if anything there appears to be a
build-up of sediment along the Western shore of East Head.
The storms in January 2007 have caused damage, but not to the hinge. The southern edge of East Head
was in need of strengthening, but as a result of the storm, repairs are now more urgent.
The future of East Head has always been unpredictable and its’ alignment quite mobile. It will continue
to be susceptible to damage in extreme weather conditions. But there is no recent physical occurrence
that justifies a deliberate policy to abandon it by the removal of sea defences. The interests of many
people are at stake and it should be protected as long as it is affordable to do so.
The groynes protecting East Head
There will be some costs incurred in maintaining the status quo, such as for repairs and maintenance of
existing sea defences or for a further re-charge of shingle at the hinge. East Head will not qualify for
government funding under the formula that is currently used to asses the priority of different locations.
However, the amounts involved should be relatively small and within what is affordable from the
combined resources of Chichester District Council, Chichester Harbour Conservancy and private
funding. As sea levels rise the cost of maintaining the status quo could become unaffordable, but that is
a situation that may not arise for many years yet. The successful recharge of the hinge in 2005 has
demonstrated that preservation of East Head can be both affordable and environmentally acceptable.
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