Cassetteboy’s latest, a mash-up of Boris’s Covid nonsense 25 Oct 2020

h/t lockdownsceptics.org

cassetteboys

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Work Begins On Seawick sea defences – Oct 2020

Sand has been eroded at Hutley gap, allowing the sea to erode the sea wall and potentially flood the holiday camp. Work aimed at preventing this has started

Rock groynes were built at Seawick around 1998.  5 groynes were placed about 90 paces apart and have good beaches, 1 groyne was 180 paces away with a reef at about 90 paces. The beach here has eroded.   

Sadly it seems the plan is to build revetments (pile rocks against the sea wall) instead of replacing the reef with a groyne.

I strongly suspect this will not work.

Looking at the reef from Hutley gap.

Looking at Hutley gap from north.

Close up showing an earlier attempt with small rocks in cages which did not work.

A beach where the groynes are about 90 paces apart. You can see there is dry sand in front of the sea wall. This stops the sea from eroding the wall.
This photograph was taken within a minute of the one above. In the photo above the sea is at the sea wall, in the photo below the sea is tens of years from the sea wall. Yet only 1 groyne, a yard or 2 wide, separates these beaches.

Google images show how the sand has been eroded since the groynes were built, but only were the reef is.

31 December 2000

31 December 2005

6 Nov 2006

31 December 2009

4 April 2014

2020

This photo, from Mike Page around 2014, show the only place where the sand has been eroded (allowing the sea to attack sea wall) is at Hutley’s were the reef is.

Is it logical to think if there was a groyne here instead of a reef the erosion would have been reduced if not stopped?

You can read more (a lot) here

idox.tendringdc.gov.uk/online-applications/

enter 20/000580/FUL in the search box labelled
Enter a keyword, reference number, postcode or single line of an address.
then you can access the 67 documents filed for this application

This is what Environment Agency has to say.

EA has been monitoring and reporting on the coast for example

Coastal Morphology Report Harwich to Canvey Island 20April 2015

but doesn’t appear to notice the difference between where there are groynes and reefs.

Posted in Beaches, EA, Groynes, Local, Sea Level, Seawick, SMP | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

How A Vegan Diet Will Help Fight Climate Change

A Quick Dick McDick toonie on the combat of climate change through vegan diets.

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8 August 2019 Front Page Gazette – We Won’t Ban People From The Naze TDC

Did someone touch a nerve? Maybe this previous post or David Evans letter to Gazette but something seems to have provoked a reaction. Pretty quickly too.

weWontBanPeopleFromNazeclick picture to access article on gazette website

To quote from the article

The council has denied there are any proposals to limit public access to the Naze.

It said: “A suggestion was made by an attendee of initial stakeholder workshop, suggesting the Naze should have seasonal access rather than 365 day access.

“However, this suggestion was not made by anyone from Tendring Council and is not repeated in the outputs of the follow up workshops.

Here’s a link to the minutes of a workshop held in march 2018.  7 out of 16 attendees were from Natural England which proposes restricting access to the Naze.
https://democracy.maldon.gov.uk/documents/s10933/Appendix%202.pdf

These proposals are incorporated into

Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance & Mitigation Strategy (RAMS)Habitats Regulations Assessment Strategy document2018-2038

https://www.basildon.gov.uk/media/9067/Essex-Coast-Recreational-Disturbance-Avoidance-Mitigation-Strategy-RAMS-Habitats-Regulations-Assessment-2018-2038/pdf/Essex_Coast_Recreational_Disturbance_Avoidance___Mitigation_Strategy_(RAMS)_Habitats_Regulations_Ass.pdf

on page 47 again suggests seasonal rather than 365 day access to the Naze

The gazette quotes Tendring Council as saying no one from the council suggested restricting access to the Naze, Maybe they didn’t actually say it, they just propose accepting the published Habitats Regulations Assessments.

To quote from this page https://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/essex-coast-recreational-disturbance-avoidance-and-mitigation-strategy-rams

Why is the Essex coast RAMS necessary?

The published Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs) for the relevant Local Plans have identified recreational disturbance as an issue for all of the Essex coastal Habitat sites.

Mitigation measures have been identified in the HRA (screening and/or Appropriate Assessments) for many of the Local Plans. There are similarities in the mitigation measures proposed, reflecting the identification of in-combination effects resulting from planned and un-planned growth in LPA areas. 

Mitigation at this scale, and across a number of LPAs, is best tackled strategically and through a partnership approach.   This ensures maximum effectiveness of conservation outcomes and cost efficiency.  In recognition of this, Natural England recommended a strategic approach to mitigation along the Essex coast.

This strategic approach has the following advantages:

It meets the requirements of planning legislation: necessary to make a development acceptable in planning terms, directly related to the development and fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind to a development;

  • It is endorsed by Natural England and has been used to protect other Habitats sites across England; 

What is the current status of the Essex coast RAMS?

There is a final draft of the Essex coast RAMS, which each LPA is taking to its elected members for approval. Each LPA has its own timetable of committee dates, therefore the RAMS will be approved by different LPAs at slightly different times this spring.

The LPAs have also drafted a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which will facilitate the delivery of the Essex coast RAMS. This is being reviewed by officers at each LPA and will be taken to elected members during the spring to seek approval for public consultation on the SPD. This consultation will take place during the summer of 2019, once local elections have taken place and in accordance with each LPA’s Statement of Community Involvement. It is anticipated that the SPD will be adopted by each LPA in late summer 2019.

And There’s More

Other concerns are (not a complete list)

  • Sailing and jet skiing out of Titchmarsh marina and Walton Yacht Club
  • Walking on the saltmarsh is also disturbing birds on the south easterly side of Hamford Water
  • Promote alternative sites for wind surfers and canoeists away from The Naze such as St. Osyth Lake/Jaywick/end of Clacton beach
  • Drone activity and paramotors over SSSI/SPA –witnessed at Manningtree and Mistley Walls
  • Kayakers accessing saltmarsh at inappropriate times, e.g. close to high tide roosts
  • Water skiing is common in Holbrook Bay and speed limits are not kept to in Jacques Bay. This should be enforced to reduce disturbance.
  • Jet skis and canoes disturbing wader high tide roosts in main channel of the Colne Estuary and Strood Channel.
  • The popular beach by Point Clear commonly has kiteboarding which is disturbing terns and ringed plovers
  • Canoeists disturb high tide roosts on the River Blackwater although there is no infrastructure providing access to water for boats
  • Kite surfing and Para hang-gliding are a problem on the wider parts of the estuary and paramotors have caused disturbance at Tollesbury
  • East Osea is a very popular picnic area which is un-authorised
  • Keep shingle spit free from public access at Tollesbury Wick

Posted in EU, NE, Politics, Tendring, Walton-on-the-Naze | Leave a comment

Tendring District Council Considering Restricting Public Access To The Naze

But this is much more than the Naze, all across Essex councils are planning to restrict access near coast and rivers. Why? To stop birds being disturbed, to please Natural England and EU Habitats Directive. Hey I thought we were leaving.

naze_restrictedAccess

 

Here’s what Tendring Council have to say.

https://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/essex-coast-recreational-disturbance-avoidance-and-mitigation-strategy-rams

Here’s a link to the minutes of a workshop held in march 2018.  7 out of 16 attendees were from Natural England.
https://democracy.maldon.gov.uk/documents/s10933/Appendix%202.pdf

Among the recommendations for the Naze are

  • Create shorter circular paths off coastal path with particular access from car parks.
  • Promote alternative sites for wind surfers and canoeists away from The Naze such as St. Osyth Lake/Jaywick/end of Clacton beach.
  • The Naze should have seasonal access rather than 365 day access

In the snappily titled

Essex Coast Recreational disturbance Avoidance & Mitigation Strategy (RAMS)Habitats Regulations Assessment Strategy document2018-2038

https://www.basildon.gov.uk/media/9067/Essex-Coast-Recreational-Disturbance-Avoidance-Mitigation-Strategy-RAMS-Habitats-Regulations-Assessment-2018-2038/pdf/Essex_Coast_Recreational_Disturbance_Avoidance___Mitigation_Strategy_(RAMS)_Habitats_Regulations_Ass.pdf

If you look at table 6.2 on page 47 the work group recommendations for the Naze  have been adopted without modification.

And TDC are  simply adopting these recommendations as they have been endorsed by Natural England.  Don’t the residents have a say?

Does this mean Footpath 36 (Quay lane to Island lane) will be closed?

I amazed there has been so little publicity, no one I have spoken to had heard of these proposals.

Posted in EU, NE, Tendring, Uncategorized, Walton-on-the-Naze | Leave a comment

North Naze Review Of Rocks After One Year – Sept 2017

In September 2016 a group of volunteers worked on David Eagle’s plan to defend the very north east part of Naze. One year on how does it look?

But first let’s use Google Earth to compare how the Naze and Jaywick have eroded since 2017.

On 31 Dec 2000 Google Earth shows the north east end of Naze looked like

31Dec2000_naze_googleEarrh

and on 31 Dec 2012

31Dec2012_naze_googleEarth

Clearly a large amount of erosion. Compare the path that goes to the sea wall from the ‘cross’.

 

While Jaywick on 31 December 2000 Jaywick beach looks like this

31Dec2000_jaywick_googleEarth

and on 31 Dec 2012

31Dec2012_jaywick_googleEarth

Here there is no sign of erosion, no change apart from changing 1 reef groyne to 2 smaller groynes near the left of the pictures.

 

Back on earth looking south from the beach just north of the Naze sea wall.

January 2013

2013Jan_howCloseFenceIsToSea2

Dec 2015

2015Dec_pipenorthnaze

September 2017

2017Sep_pipeOnBeach

Clearly there is a huge amount of erosion.  Now the sea can reach the sea wall, which it proceed to erode and ultimately break through.

Comparing pictures taken in 2016 and 2017 of the new sea defenses.

2016

2016Sep_cagesAlmostFull

 

2017

2017Sep_someErosionBehindRockCages

 

2016

2015Sep_peopleAtWork_enlarged

 

2017

2017Sep_rocksInCages2

 2017Sep_rocksInCages

It looks like the rock filled cages have made a difference in slowing the rate of erosion at this specific location.  Though it looks like the cages might be sinking, probably as the sea is removing material from under the cages.

In addition it seems one of the sea wall slabs has been lost.

But the pictures above show the sea is rapdily eroding the material in front of the sea wall to the north of the rock cages.  And the sea is also rapidly eroding the cliffs immeditaly to the south of the rock cages.

Before long the rock cages will be an island

Dec 2015

 

2015Dec_seaErodesCliff

Sept 2017

 

2017Sep_seaErodesCliff

 

What is incredibly fustrating and annoying is that

  1. it is known how to prevent the sea eroding cliifs and sea walls
  2. it has been done in several places in Tendring, Jaywick, Clacton, Holland AND Sunny Point
  3. But Tendring District Council and Environment Agency refuse to act.

Build Groynes

As this post explains jeremyshiers.com/blog/naze-cliffs-fall-sea-even-though-known-stop

 

 

 

Posted in Beaches, Breakwaters, Groynes, Jaywick, SMP, Walton-on-the-Naze | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

David Eagles Project To Protect Northern Naze – 10 Sept 2016

David Eagle’s plan to protect northern end of the Naze was put in action over weekend of 10 September 2016. Volunteers filled larger cages with rocks.

 

10 September 2016 –  volunteer workers already at work

peopleatwork

More rocks arrive

morerocks

Cages are nearly full

cagesalmostfull

 

fillingtherockcages

In filling between cages and cliff

infillingbehandcages

The message seems to be it’s hard to get large scale projects going,
it’s much quicker and easier for small scale projects.

If the future is going to be volunteer projects what is the point of Environment Agency?

 

Finally more rocks are needed a few yards further south, otherwise the cliffs will erode so the sea can get behind the rock cages from the south.

seaerodescliff

 

 

 

Posted in Beaches, Groynes, SMP, Walton-on-the-Naze | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

East Mersea Sea Wall Collapsed – Oct 2016

Part of sea wall at East Mersea has collapsed. Over next 100 years EA plans to either abandon about half of sea defenses or knock them down.

Despite alarming warnings

dangedontwalkonwall

people are still walking along the wall.

walkingonthewall

Behind the wall, looking east, everything looks ok.

behindthewall

But not so good in front of the wall

closeupcollapsedwall

collapsedwallfronteast

Does any of this look familiar? It should do as we’ve seen much the same in Tendring

crackinwall

Holland on sea

2007_queensway_holland

East Mersea

collapsedwalllookingwest

collapsedwalllookingwestcloseup

Seawick

30Jan2016_highTideSeawick_wheresThePath 30Jan2016_erosionBySeaWall

The Naze

seaerodescliff

The Environment Agency is responsible for sea defenses.  SMP2 is EA’s policy document till 2105.

Here is the colour key for the different policies indicated on maps below.

smp2_key

SMP2 present to 2025

smp2_mersea_present_2025

SMP2 2055 to 2105

smp2_mersea_2055_2105

So EA, the body responsible for sea defenses, plans to either to abandon or actively knock down about half of Mersea Island’s sea defenses over the next 100 years!

Meanwhile the net result is Essex Highways attempt to ban pedestrians from the wall

footpath1_eastmersea_prohibition_of_pedestrians

Posted in Beaches, Coastal Squeeze, EA, Groynes, Sea Level, SMP | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on East Mersea Sea Wall Collapsed – Oct 2016

Will David Eagle’s Plan To Save The Naze Work? Aug 2016

David Eagle’s plan to save the Naze is described in 18 August 2016 Clacton & Frinton Gazette. It prompted me to have another look.

David has organised a meeting 7-8:30pm Wednesday 24 August at Columbine Centre to discuss saving the Naze.

I applaud  David for taking action, in fact he appears to be the only person taking action. Though Councillor Nick Turner, who used to hold the environment brief at TDC, is working at political level. Nick was instrumental in delivering the new sea defenses and beach at Holland and Clacton.

I do not believe David’s solution, piling rocks in front of the sea wall, will work in the long term.  There are 2 workable solutions as far as I know

Either build groynes so there is a bank of dry sand  in front of the wall which stops  the sea from being able to reach the wall.

Or build a barrier like Crag Walk

My preference would be for groynes.  It is really frustrating that not only is it known how to stop the erosion but it has been successfully done in Tendring including at Sunny Point which is at the Naze!

naze cliffs fall sea even though known stop

new beach for clacton, naze and seawick falling into sea

Back To The Naze

This photo was taken on 22 Aug 2016

pipeDisappearedEndFenceOnBeach

November 2015

pipenorthnaze

January 2013

nazeCliff2Jan2013

Clearly the sea is rapidly eroding the sea wall and will soon break through, and when it does the sea will proceed to erode the land  behind the sea wall threatening the sewage works.  More detail sea continues to erode wall and cliffs at walton on the naze dec 2015

The 15 January 2016 edition of Gazette put some of the pictures on the front page. Dave Lambert, who wrote the story, asked the Environment Agency for a response. EA seemed to distance themselves from any responsibility which I describe here  a big thankyou to dave lambert and frinton-clacton gazette

 

The pipe which was sticking out of the cliff in November 2015 now seems to be lying on the beach.

pipeNowLyingOnBeach

 

The sea has eroded under the sea wall.  To the left you can see some of the rocks which are David’s solution.

seaErodedUnderBaseOfSeaWall

Rocks were piled against the sea wall in Holland-on-Sea.  But the sea washed sand out from underneath the rocks and the level of the rocks fell.  You can see they almost all covered in weed.

hollandRocksAgainstSeaWall

A promenade may look solid but the sea can wash material from underneath, fatally weakening it.

 

diggerFallingInHoleSeaWall

Groynes with a bank of dry sand to stop the sea getting at the sea wall in Seawick

seawick2

Jaywick

jaywick

Clacton

newClactonBeach

 

If you turn to page 132 of SMP2 for Essex and South Suffolk you will find this

fromSMP_page117_nazeSewageProtectedAs far as I can make out this means EA plan to let existing sea wall fail then build new defenses.  This makes no sense to me.

 

EA using the same failed strategy at Seawick (putting rocks against sea wall), after abandoning this idea in favor of groynes at Clacton and Holland.

EA_repair_which_wont_work

 

Perhaps  I’m wrong and piling rocks against sea wall will stop erosion.  In which case why was £36million spent removing rocks against sea wall in Clacton and Holland, then building groynes?

 

 

EA SMP2 clearly states there will be no active intervention to stop erosion at Naze Cliffs, pages 126-130 of SMP2 for Essex and South Suffolk

 

nazeSmpTo2025

10

smpPolicyColorCode

 

Finally EA’s policy seems to be based on fears of accelerating rise in sea levels which would make sea defenses to expensive to maintain.

The sea level data for Felixstowe from 1980 to 2011 held by PSMSL show no sea level rise at all!

seaLevelFelixstowe_1980_2011

If just a tiny fraction of the money spent on local offshore windfarms (about £300 million for Gunfleet sands and £1.4 billion for the ones further out) we could have proper sea defenses for all of Tendring (principally Naze and Seawick).

 

 

 

Posted in Beaches, DEFRA, EA, Groynes, Local, SMP, Walton-on-the-Naze | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Petition Parliament To Debate Lord Kilmuir’s Letter to Ted Heath

Before 1972 when Prime Minister Edward Heath signed the Treaty of Rome for us to join the common market, now the EU. he asked the top law  officer at the time the legal implications of signing the treaty. This  man, the Lord Chancellor Lord Kilmuir described our constitution evolving from Magna Carta and even before, and wrote that giving away our sovereignty to another state would be illegal.

Heath still signed it  and misled parliament by stating that there was no loss of sovereignty.  Before he died he admitted his conduct in his memoirs.

Lord Kilmuir’s letter was hidden from public under thirty year rule, but a copy is linked to this petition

We require parliament to debate Lord Kilmuir’s letter to Edward Heath

By signing this petition you can help the petition reach 10,000 signatures at which point the government has to comment on it, and the letter’s existence would have to be acknowledged on a government’s own site.

The title  of the petition is extremely boring and obscure and so has not received much attention.

Why does this petition matter?

If Edward Heath signed the treaty for UK to join EEC knowing it involved a loss of sovereignty, which would be illegal, then the treaty would be null and void.  For good measure Heath also misled parliament by claiming there would be no loss of sovereignty.

 

This post is based on a comment at ZeroHedge.com which goes into this matter in more detail.  There is more comment at The Slog.

Posted in EU, Politics | Tagged , , | 2 Comments