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A main issue in grid square TV5595 is that of coastal erosion and coastal defence. Coastal erosion is a natural process but, in recent times particularly, the erosion of the cliffs at Birling Gap has been much in the news. A number of natural factors have combined their effects in recent months to increase the rate of erosion. For example, high tides and a series of storms have resulted in waves that removed beach shingle and allowed waves to undercut the base of the cliffs. Also, with record levels of rainfall during the winter months of 2013-2014, water seeped into the chalk cliffs and helped to destabilize them. The dramatic and frequent cliff falls at Birling Gap have been much publicised through the media. There has, for instance, been televised video of cliff falls and many newspaper articles on the destruction of buildings such as parts of the National Trust café (TV5596) and the former coastguard cottage nearest to the sea (TV5595). Despite public warnings to stay away from the cliff edges, given through the media, many people appear to have ignored the warnings.
The National Trust, who own the land at Birling Gap, are dealing with the problem of cliff erosion by using a strategy of managed retreat. This policy can be seen in action by the recent demolition of the sun lounge and ice cream parlour at the Birling Gap Café while, on the other side of the car park, Wealden District Council have been involved in the demolition of one of the former coastguard cottages. Storm damage to the foot of the steps and viewing platform which lead from the cliff top to the beach has meant that the steps have been closed since January. However, repairs have been completed and Wealden District Council reopened the steps on the 17th April 2004 which was in time for Easter.
The main alternative strategy to managed retreat in combating coastal erosion is to build hard defences. Such schemes include the use of groynes, gabions, revetments, rock armour or riprap, sea walls and off shore breakwaters. Many of these hard engineering solutions are used locally such as groynes at Eastbourne, gabions at Hope Gap, revetments at the mouth of the river Cuckmere, rip rap at Holywell and sea walls at Saltdean and at the base of the cliffs under the coastguard cottages at Cuckmere Haven. However, such protective, engineering schemes can be very expensive and hard barriers can result in unexpected and damaging consequences for other parts of the coast. The National Trust has taken the view that the forces of nature are part of the appeal of the coast and that they want to work with natural processes to accommodate change. The National Trust is following the recommendation of the Shoreline Management Plan for no active intervention. The wave cut notches at the base of the chalk cliffs lead through a succession of stages of cliff erosion to rockfalls and then to the transport of that material by longshore drift to new locations along the coast. The breakage and falling of rock in a dynamic landscape helps to keep the chalk cliffs looking white and helps to give them their iconic appearance and appeal. The protective revetments that some local people had asked for were not favoured by such bodies as Natural England and the National Trust because, in addition to looking unnatural, they slow the rate of erosion. Paradoxically, the erosion which produces a natural supply of shingle helps to protect the coastline by absorbing some of the impact and energy of destructive waves.
There are many recreational and educational attractions in grid square TV5595. For example, many people enjoy exploring the rock pools, walking their dog or having a family picnic for recreation while others may prefer to photograph and record the plants, birds and fossils that they find in this SSSI.
As Birling Gap is a honeypot site attracting approximately 350,000 visitors per year, other issues such as the erosion of paths and litter are also concerns. Again, the cliff edge is not fenced and being unlit at night, it is dangerous for unwary walkers. Because of the physical amenities such as spectacular views of the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, good walking along the cliff edge paths and access to the beach together with man-made features such as the car park, the café and the new visitor centre, this is a very popular location. The question of how the cliff coast can best be managed is an open one, however, and people have different views as to what is the best strategy.
Andrew Diack
TV5595 : Demolition of former coastguard house at Birling GapTV5595 : Recent rock fall near Birling GapTV5595 : Viewing platform and steps at Birling Gap