Beach recharge materials - demand and resources (R154)

There is increasing pressure on the UK's marine sand and gravel resources. Planning constraints are tending to restrict the extraction of sand and gravel rsources on land, while the exploitation of marine resources in encouraged, subject to environmental safeguards. In addition to the demand for aggregates from the construction industry, there is an increasing demand for marine sand and gravel for beach recharge in coastal defence schemes. This report provides quantitative estimates of the national demand for beach recharge material and of the resources suitable to meet demand over the next 20 years. This information is presented regionally: for the south and east coasts, and the coasts of Wales and western England respectively. The results are of particular relevance in the determination of policy regarding coastal defence and minerals planning, and provide coastal authorities and engineers with information on the resource options for recharge materials.

The report considers the potential for the use of beach recharge of materials other than marine sand and gravel, such as navigational dredgings. While some of these alternative materials may offer attractive local or opportunistic options, they are unlikely to satisfy the requirements of most major schemes.

Keywords: coastal and marine, sustainable resource use.

ISBN: 978-0-86017-439-4

Author: B Humphreys, T Coates, M Watkiss and D Harrison

Number of pages: 176 (paperback)

Publisher: CIRIA

Date of Publication: January 1996