CONTRACTORS have started a race against time to carry out a major coastal erosion protection project to reduce the risk to Minehead of being flooded by the sea.

More than 14,000 tonnes of stone will be used to stabilise 400 yards of vulnerable shingle ridge on the coastal frontage at The Warren and to continue the existing line.

The work needs to be completed before winter sets in to ensure homes and businesses in Minehead continue to be protected from flooding.

The Environment Agency (EA) said urgent repair and reinforcement works to the coastal defences were needed after asset inspectors realised the shingle ridge was eroding during winter storms and there was a risk of serious flooding to parts of Minehead if it was not addressed.

The SeaRock 1 barge offloading granite onto the shore in Minehead.
The SeaRock 1 barge offloading granite onto the shore in Minehead. (Environment Agency)

Rock armour will be installed on the two most severely affected areas of the shingle ridge to maintain the defence and prevent further erosion leading to a breach.

Repair and maintenance work had been regularly undertaken by the EA, most recently in 2021 when it was bolstered using rock armour and materials taken from the nearby foreshore, but more work was needed.

The first stage of the 10-week programme was to create two working compounds for the machinery and a site office.

This was followed by the arrival of two shipments totalling 5,500 tonnes of Scottish granite on the Hagland SAGA, which is anchored three miles offshore.

The stone is coming from Glensanda Quarry, which has also supplied rock armour for a cliff protection scheme currently underway further along the coastline in Blue Anchor.

The SeaRock 1 barge, towed by tugboats Afon Wen and Chloe Mayhas, has been ferrying the stone from ship to shore where it is offloaded at high tide for contractors Kier to recover at low tide and start placing the boulders along the shingle ridge.

An EA spokesperson said: “Parts of Minehead are vulnerable to coastal flooding, particularly during north westerly storms and high tides.

“The routine annual maintenance to the beach frontage, including annual beach re-profiling, is a vital part of how the scheme operates to reduce flood risk in Minehead.

“Recent storm events have tested the existing coastal flood defences and the risk of flooding is forecast to increase in the future due to climate change.”

The stretch of Minehead coast where flood protection work is being carried out.
The stretch of Minehead coast where flood protection work is being carried out. (Environment Agency)

The spokesperson said the work had been planned to be sympathetic to the historical archaeology on the Minehead coastline, which showed evidence of medieval fish traps uncovered at low spring tides on the foreshore.

Somerset County Council and English Coast paths have approved a footpath closure and diversion during the works.

Emergency service access to the slipway will not be compromised during the works and for anybody who needs access there will be contact details on signage at the site, which will also be manned by Kier 24 hours a day.

Access to the beach to the east of the slipway will remain open but there will be banksmen supervising the movement of machinery and material who will advise on safe routes around the working site.

More information on the coastal protection work can be obtained by emailing the EA here mailto:[email protected].