There are seven main types of coastal protection schemes: sea walls, revetments, rip-rap, groynes, gabions, offshore breakwaters, and beach rebuilding. Sea walls are made of stone or concrete and withstand wave energy but are very expensive at £6,000 per meter. Revetments are sloping concrete walls that absorb wave energy and allow water and sediment to pass at a lower £2,000 per meter cost but can be damaged. Gabions are wire baskets filled with stones that gradually cover with sand and grass and are relatively inexpensive at £100 per meter but the wire rusts.

1. Coastal Protection

2. There are seven main types of schemes that can be used to protect the sea. // Sea wall //Revetment //Rip-rap //Groynes //Gabions //Offshore Breakwater //Beach rebuilding

3. Sea Wall A sea wall is made of stone or concrete it works by reflecting the waves. It withstands waves breaking on it . however It is expensive as it costs about 6,000 pound per metre.

4. Revetment A sloping concrete wall that is laid like a carpet along the coast. Open structure of plants to absorb waves energy but allows water & sediment to build beyond. This costs about £2000 per metre. This can be easily damaged and can be dangerous for children

5. Gabions Strong wire baskets filled with stones that gradually get covered with grass and sand. This is relatively cheap it costs £100 per metre. The steel mesh will rust with the sea water.

6. Rip-Rap Large interlocking man-made boulders which break up the waves Costs approximately £3500 per metre

7. Groynes * A low wall built out into the sea * Traps the sand and reduces erosion * £10 000 each sited more than 200 metres apart. * Can stop LSD which means less sediment to protect other stretches of the beach

8. Offshore Breakwater Located in the sea below the water mark. May be dumped interlocking material or a concrete wall. Protects the shore from all waves.

9. Replaces material lost by erosion each year Regular replacement needed - £3 per cubic metre Beach rebuilding