Concrete is No Defence

Climping is an area in West Sussex between Littlehampton and Bognor Regis. I heard of the damage to the sea defences some time ago, but winter weather and the pesky lockdown stopped me from visiting. Finally, on Sunday I got the opportunity.

Much of the Sussex coast is protected by hard sea defences. Concrete conveys a sense of permanence, a fortification that will stand strong. But at Climping the concrete has been defeated.

Blocks of concrete once formed regular lines, but are now smashed and scattered.

Strangely, the wooden groynes have withstood the sea more than the concrete. The sea has simply advanced inland and left them stranded and ineffective.

A wall of concrete and brick used to divide the beach from the farmland. The wall is now in thousands of pieces.

At high tide, the sea now meets the clay soil of the fields.

The concrete defences have been undercut and swept away.

The more intense storms that are predicted for the future will claim more of this land for the sea. Because concrete is no defence.