Rocks from Norway to help save the Naze

From the archive, first published Wednesday 14th Oct 1998.

Damaged sea defences protecting Walton's crumbling Naze are to be reinforced with giant rocks from Norway.

The sea wall is in danger of collapse and water has already started to breach the barrier following a cliff slip near the historic tower.

But the move has been criticised by Naze Protection Society chairman David Gager, saying it was nothing more than "emergency maintenance."

The scheme - which will cost more than £300,000 - will see a rock armour structure to support the end of the wall below Sunnypoint.

It will take the form of a sloping rock embankment made up of rocks weighing around six tonnes each which are being stockpiled near the Naze car park after being brought over from Norway.

It is hoped the project - which is due to begin on October 26 - will be able to absorb wave energy rather than reflect it as the structure itself is designed to minimise erosion. News of the project comes just a day after This Is Essex revealed an £8.5 million major sea defence scheme planned for the coastline between Jaywick and west Clacton was in jeopardy.

Council leader Tom Cook said "I hope this work will be a great step towards ensuring the future of this important part of the coastline."

Long-awaited plans by Harwich Habour Authority to use millions of cubic metres of sand and gravel dredged from Harwich Harbour to construct new defences are still waiting for the Government's all-clear.

The report estimates that 40 per cent of Essex marshes, found in estuaries such as the Thames, Blackwater and Crouch and salt marshes like the Walton Backwaters could be flooded in 50 years at present rates of increase.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.

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