Aftermath of Storm Goretti – SCOPIX
The massive beach protection project that stood as a silent guardian against January’s fierce Storm Goretti is officially returning to the shore this coming Monday.
Residents can breathe easy and celebrate the start of the next phase, knowing that the very same program recently proved its worth by keeping every single local home safe and dry during record-breaking winds.
While the powerful gusts from Storm Goretti certainly left their mark on some beach huts and benches, the most important victory was clear: not a single residential property suffered flooding or damage, and every member of the community remained safe. This success story is a direct result of the dedicated shingle recycling and regrading efforts that have been meticulously maintained for over two decades.
The upcoming work marks an exciting new chapter in coastal resilience as teams prepare to move 100,000 tonnes of beach material between Fisherman’s Beach and Folkestone Harbour. This massive undertaking will expertly reshape the shoreline to create an even more robust barrier against high tides and future storms. By the time the project concludes, the coastline will be better prepared than ever to welcome the waves while keeping the community secure and thriving.
Cllr Stephen Scoffham – Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Biodiversity – said:
“While we never wanted to test our theory that the beach management programme offers far superior protection than the old timber groynes, Storm Goretti gave us a conclusive answer.
“Shingle will be moved from east to west over a six-to-eight-week period to allow the longshore drift to naturally spread it to aid the prevention of overtopping.”
Any disruption will be kept to a minimum – meanwhile, options to repair the breakwater are still being considered. While the damage looks dramatic, the rock structure below it (the bit that protects the coast) is perfectly intact.