A Critical Evaluation of the Processes and Need for Management at Four Specific Areas of the Holderness Coast

1. A Critical Evaluation of the Processes and Need for Management at Four Specific Areas of the Holderness Coast Antilla, Capstick, Marshall & Mitchell Liverpool Hope University College final year students

2. Through the interactions of the sea, beach and cliff processes the Holderness has become a dynamically varied and interesting coastline. This has resulted in the need for management decisions along the coastline. Bridlington, Mappleton, Easington and Withernsea have been studied to investigate the effect of coastal geomorphological processes. Management decisions vary for theses site due to the variation in processes and size of settlement. Management must be affectively prioritised in order to direct the funds to gain the largest benefits. Coastal management for any specific site will have affects further down the coast I.e. The positioning of Groynes can eleviate the stress of coastal erosion where they are in situ. However further down the coast erosion rate is increased as beaches are starved of sediment. Through the interactions of the sea, beach and cliff processes the Holderness has become a dynamically varied and interesting coastline. This has resulted in the need for management decisions along the coastline. Bridlington, Mappleton, Easington and Withernsea have been studied to investigate the effect of coastal geomorphological processes. Management decisions vary for theses site due to the variation in processes and size of settlement. Management must be affectively prioritised in order to direct the funds to gain the largest benefits. Coastal management for any specific site will have affects further down the coast I.e. The positioning of Groynes can eleviate the stress of coastal erosion where they are in situ. However further down the coast erosion rate is increased as beaches are starved of sediment.

3. Holderness Coast(www.hull.ac.uk/iecs/hucyphyas.htm)

4. Processes Waves and wave refraction Longshore drift Erosion and slumping Waves are the transferral of energy as folds on the surface of water produced by wind. This energy through waves impacts upon the beach and cliff carrying and depositing sediments cutting the cliffs and moving the beach down the coastline. Wave refraction is the curving of waves around a headland. Waves curve around Flamborough head resulting in concentrated energy levels at the four sites. Longshore drift is the movement of sediments through wave and current action. Material is transported down the coast acting as a catalyst for erosion, whilst also defending the coastline through the deposition of protective beaches. Wave, Wave refraction and Longshore drift all combined increase the erosion rate. Wind, water, gravity or ice destroy the cliff face by impacting against the cliff and removing material.The Holderness coast erodes very quickly at approximately 2metres a year through its geology. This soft glacial till is prone to undercutting resulting in slumping.Waves are the transferral of energy as folds on the surface of water produced by wind. This energy through waves impacts upon the beach and cliff carrying and depositing sediments cutting the cliffs and moving the beach down the coastline. Wave refraction is the curving of waves around a headland. Waves curve around Flamborough head resulting in concentrated energy levels at the four sites. Longshore drift is the movement of sediments through wave and current action. Material is transported down the coast acting as a catalyst for erosion, whilst also defending the coastline through the deposition of protective beaches. Wave, Wave refraction and Longshore drift all combined increase the erosion rate. Wind, water, gravity or ice destroy the cliff face by impacting against the cliff and removing material.The Holderness coast erodes very quickly at approximately 2metres a year through its geology. This soft glacial till is prone to undercutting resulting in slumping.

5. Bridlington Whirl pool current-Smithic sand Thriving tourist industry Management through Groynes and sea wall Wave refraction around Flamborough head directly affects Bridlington as a whirl pool current is created in Bridlington bay. Sand is accumulated in the centre of the bay by the circular movement of water this is known as Smithic sand. Bridlington is a large town with a thriving tourist industry who�s beaches are famous due to Smithic sand. Through its large population the coast defences are being improved and are on a large scale. Smithic sand has been encouraged with groynes to protect the cliff foot, a seawall as been in placed to protect the settlement for over a hundred years. A Wave return wall has been put in place to dissipate wave energy. Wave refraction around Flamborough head directly affects Bridlington as a whirl pool current is created in Bridlington bay. Sand is accumulated in the centre of the bay by the circular movement of water this is known as Smithic sand. Bridlington is a large town with a thriving tourist industry who�s beaches are famous due to Smithic sand. Through its large population the coast defences are being improved and are on a large scale. Smithic sand has been encouraged with groynes to protect the cliff foot, a seawall as been in placed to protect the settlement for over a hundred years. A Wave return wall has been put in place to dissipate wave energy.

6. Mappleton Erosion and slumping Small village with limited funds Rock armour and Groynes Erosion rate within and around Mappleton is rapid but fluctuates through existing management schemes. Mappleton is a small village decreasing in size through unpopularity and erosion. Since 1991 the housing at Mappleton has been protected with rock armour and groynes. Rock armour is large hard boulders that are put in place along the cliff foot, they protect the cliff foot from the impact of the waves, dissipating energy from waves. Further down the coastline land has not been protected due to no population or facilities. The reflects the nature of coastal management. Erosion rates have increased down the coast from Mappleton because management schemes have prevented the sediment from naturally moving with the current. Where there is no management the weaker cliff is cut back as coves and embayments as shown on the slide.Erosion rate within and around Mappleton is rapid but fluctuates through existing management schemes. Mappleton is a small village decreasing in size through unpopularity and erosion. Since 1991 the housing at Mappleton has been protected with rock armour and groynes. Rock armour is large hard boulders that are put in place along the cliff foot, they protect the cliff foot from the impact of the waves, dissipating energy from waves. Further down the coastline land has not been protected due to no population or facilities. The reflects the nature of coastal management. Erosion rates have increased down the coast from Mappleton because management schemes have prevented the sediment from naturally moving with the current. Where there is no management the weaker cliff is cut back as coves and embayments as shown on the slide.

7. Easington Erosion and slumping Hamlet and U.K�s largest gas terminal Sea wall protecting the terminal only with a 25yr time span. (www.pml.ac.uk/lois/education/ easington.htm) Processes are similar to Mappleton slumping and erosion occurs through waves, wave refraction, longshore drift and weak glacial till. The Easington gas terminal is of national strategic importance as it supplies the majority of the gas throughout Britain. The gas terminal at Easington was first situated here due to the close proximity of gas within the north sea. Originally the gas terminal was only built for 25years due to estimated amounts of gas. At a later date it was discovered that the terminals life span would be longer as more gas was found. Very few people live in Easington as there are few facilities. There is also a caravan park to attract tourists to the area. A �4.5 million, 1000 metre sea wall has been erected to protect the gas terminal only. This has a life span of 25 years for two reasons. The first reason is that a limited time span will reduce the impacts felt down the coast. The second reason was because 25 years allows the gas terminal to be moved further inland to a safer site. It is not cost beneficial to protect a few houses and a caravan park whilst the problems are heightened down the coast because of this protection. Processes are similar to Mappleton slumping and erosion occurs through waves, wave refraction, longshore drift and weak glacial till. The Easington gas terminal is of national strategic importance as it supplies the majority of the gas throughout Britain. The gas terminal at Easington was first situated here due to the close proximity of gas within the north sea. Originally the gas terminal was only built for 25years due to estimated amounts of gas. At a later date it was discovered that the terminals life span would be longer as more gas was found. Very few people live in Easington as there are few facilities. There is also a caravan park to attract tourists to the area. A �4.5 million, 1000 metre sea wall has been erected to protect the gas terminal only. This has a life span of 25 years for two reasons. The first reason is that a limited time span will reduce the impacts felt down the coast. The second reason was because 25 years allows the gas terminal to be moved further inland to a safer site. It is not cost beneficial to protect a few houses and a caravan park whilst the problems are heightened down the coast because of this protection.

8. Withernsea Waves Small town Victorian sea side resort Groynes, Rock armour and wave return sea wall. The powerful effect of waves was seen during and after the severe storms of 1992/93. The result was the removal of the beach exposing the sea wall. Cracks were visible within the walls and housing along the coastline, this gave cause for concern and need for management . Withernsea is a typical small town Victorian sea side resort with a declining tourist industry. Before the 1992-93 storms coastal management at Withernsea was ineffective, Victorian in date and nature. After the severe storms management decisions were made and the town was deemed worth saving. Groynes, rock armour and a wave return sea wall were implemented to increase sediment levels and to dissipate wave energy. The powerful effect of waves was seen during and after the severe storms of 1992/93. The result was the removal of the beach exposing the sea wall. Cracks were visible within the walls and housing along the coastline, this gave cause for concern and need for management . Withernsea is a typical small town Victorian sea side resort with a declining tourist industry. Before the 1992-93 storms coastal management at Withernsea was ineffective, Victorian in date and nature. After the severe storms management decisions were made and the town was deemed worth saving. Groynes, rock armour and a wave return sea wall were implemented to increase sediment levels and to dissipate wave energy.

9. Human Interaction V�s Nature Who should gain priority? Which site or sites should be managed? Why should sites be rejected? Can nature be controlled? Having examined the four sites on the Holderness Coast decisions have to be made regarding management solutions and priority must be given in a cost benefit analysis. When individual towns and villages review their own coastal management decisions priority is for their own settlement and not considered in relation to the rest of the coastline. Through research, technological advancements and discussion the overall feeling is to let nature take its course giving the coastline back to the sea. However, if just one settlement is to be saved then Bridlington should be prioritised. Bridlington is the largest site with the highest economic potential. Mappleton and Withernsea would not take priority because there less people and facilities. Easington would also not be chosen as once the gas terminal has been moved there would be very few people in the area. In conclusion, the fight against the natural processes acting along the coastline will be an on going battle as human interaction can only intervene with them not control them.Having examined the four sites on the Holderness Coast decisions have to be made regarding management solutions and priority must be given in a cost benefit analysis. When individual towns and villages review their own coastal management decisions priority is for their own settlement and not considered in relation to the rest of the coastline. Through research, technological advancements and discussion the overall feeling is to let nature take its course giving the coastline back to the sea. However, if just one settlement is to be saved then Bridlington should be prioritised. Bridlington is the largest site with the highest economic potential. Mappleton and Withernsea would not take priority because there less people and facilities. Easington would also not be chosen as once the gas terminal has been moved there would be very few people in the area. In conclusion, the fight against the natural processes acting along the coastline will be an on going battle as human interaction can only intervene with them not control them.