Swanage Town Coastal Protection Scheme

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Dorset Council in partnership with the Environment Agency, Dorset Coast Forum and Swanage Town Council are looking at options for coastal flood defences to protect Swanage. As the scheme progresses, public consultation events will be available so that the community can be informed and involved with opportunities to feedback on the proposed design options.

Contents

1. Overview

2. Why are flood defences needed in Swanage?

3. How can I find out more about the proposed flood defences?

4. Educational engagement

5. Flooding Swanage with Art

Overview

The Swanage Town Coastal Protection Scheme aims to provide a permanent flood defence scheme to Shore Road and the Mowlem Slipway area, The Square, The Parade and Lower High Street. This central location currently relies on emergency temporary de-mountable flood defences which are deployed in the winter by the Environment Agency to protect from high tides and storms.

Dorset Council are leading the progression of a single scheme to protect and mitigate tidal flood risk and in addition, help provide public realm improvements. An outline business case is being developed and will be submitted to the Environment Agency to bid for government funding for the scheme.

A number of proposals have been assessed against key feasibility criteria including; technical, financial, accessibility, maintenance, active/ passive design, heritage and potential for public realm improvements.

March 2018 flood event. Photo credit Malcolm Turnbull


This has resulted in an outline proposal which we plan to use to support the business case and bid for funding. If successful, we plan to hold a wider public consultation to move this outline design to a detailed design.





Why are flood defences needed in Swanage?

In storm events or high tide and easterly winds, the current sea wall in Swanage suffers from overtopping. Overtopping is where waves are driven over the wall causing problems for both town centre businesses and the local community. This is an ongoing issue and has diverse implications for Swanage, impacting upon the environment, businesses and tourism. The impacts of these events on Swanage have demonstrated the need for improved protection.

Currently, the Environment Agency install seasonal temporary defences to protect the town during the winter months, but flood events are not just restricted to the winter season. With increasingly frequent storms events and rising sea levels, Coastal Engineers are currently working towards the provision of permanent flood defences for Swanage.

The engineering design solutions are informed through baseline hydraulic modelling being undertaken on behalf of the project by JBA Consulting . The baseline model represents the current built and natural environment - you must create hydraulic models for the current 'defended/baseline' and 'undefended' scenarios (as applicable). JBA Consulting have completed their initial data review phase with baseline hydraulic modelling having started in mid-November 2022. Following initial model results provided in March 2023, the Project Team have requested a further set of modelling during winter 2023/24 to ensure optimal results to inform design options.

Public engagement feedback is informing specific modelling - this will provide opportunities for this information to be shared with the community in a tailored format in 2024. Previous public consultation results are supporting the outline business case to submit to the Environment Agency for funding to deliver a flood defence scheme. If funding is obtained, there will be further consultation with the wider community and specific groups as the scheme is developed.


How can I find out about the proposed flood defences?

Swanage residents, businesses and organisations who are directly impacted by the proposed flood defences will be invited to participate in engagement events and consultations in spring/summer 2024 to find out more about the proposals. These proposals will be updated as a result of the baseline modelling conducted by JBA Consulting and will be shared with stakeholders through direct contact or open community events throughout 2024 led and facilitated by Dorset Coast Forum on behalf of the project - check the events section for more details.

A regular newsletter dedicated to Dorset Coast Forum projects including the Swanage Town Coastal Protection Scheme is available quarterly so that residents and visitors to Swanage can keep up to date with how our projects are progressing. Sign up and register if you'd like to receive regular eNews updates. Look out too for a planned rolling exhibition at the Swanage Information Centre coming and our 2024 community engagement events hosted by Dorset Coast Forum Project Officer, Sara Parker in conjunction with our partner organisations.


Educational engagement

Dorset Coast Forum recognise that local Swanage schools and organisations will be interested in the project and the outcomes for Swanage both for coastal flood protection and public realm improvements. We encourage inquisitive minds to get involved and will be celebrating Outdoor Classroom Day 2023 on 2 November 2023 with a STEM guided walk for KS2-5 - the 5th free event of this kind we have hosted in Swanage. Contact Sara to find out more or to book your 1 hour learning session outdoors.



Flooding Swanage with Art

As part of the Swanage Town Coastal Protection Scheme the Environment Agency currently install temporary wave barriers during the winter months to protect the town from flood risk.

Street artist Tom Phillipscreating one of the panels inspired by work from Y9 art pupils at Swanage School

A recent disability report commissioned by Swanage Town Council highlighted that the barriers are too grey for the visually impaired to safely see the contrast between the concrete blocks and the pavement. As a result, a community art project was created using art murals on the blocks for both a specific visual impact for the visually impaired; and also to enhance the town using artistic creativity to raise awareness of the impact of sea level rise and coastal flooding.

Installed in 4 locations along the seafront the art trail is one of the most ambitious community art projects in Dorset. Completed and installed in late October 2023 it is accompanied with a printed art trail leaflet available from the Swanage Information Centre, Swanage Library and local shops and businesses. The trail is also available in electronic format on this webpage here. A larger font guide for the visually impaired will soon be available at the Swanage Information Centre.

Combining the creative talent of 6 local artists, 3 schools, Swanage Youth Club, Swanage Scouts and Swanage community group Allsort'd, the project has gratefully received financial support from the Environment Agency and local sponsors.

Guided Talking Art Walks suitable for all ages, and designed to bring the art to life for anyone with a visual impairment, will be available once a month from November to February 2024, check out the events section for details. Led by one of our local project artists, Andy Knill.


Flooding Swanage with Art with be available to view throughout autumn/winter 2023-4 and also autumn winter 2024-5.



Dorset Council in partnership with the Environment Agency, Dorset Coast Forum and Swanage Town Council are looking at options for coastal flood defences to protect Swanage. As the scheme progresses, public consultation events will be available so that the community can be informed and involved with opportunities to feedback on the proposed design options.

Contents

1. Overview

2. Why are flood defences needed in Swanage?

3. How can I find out more about the proposed flood defences?

4. Educational engagement

5. Flooding Swanage with Art

Overview

The Swanage Town Coastal Protection Scheme aims to provide a permanent flood defence scheme to Shore Road and the Mowlem Slipway area, The Square, The Parade and Lower High Street. This central location currently relies on emergency temporary de-mountable flood defences which are deployed in the winter by the Environment Agency to protect from high tides and storms.

Dorset Council are leading the progression of a single scheme to protect and mitigate tidal flood risk and in addition, help provide public realm improvements. An outline business case is being developed and will be submitted to the Environment Agency to bid for government funding for the scheme.

A number of proposals have been assessed against key feasibility criteria including; technical, financial, accessibility, maintenance, active/ passive design, heritage and potential for public realm improvements.

March 2018 flood event. Photo credit Malcolm Turnbull


This has resulted in an outline proposal which we plan to use to support the business case and bid for funding. If successful, we plan to hold a wider public consultation to move this outline design to a detailed design.





Why are flood defences needed in Swanage?

In storm events or high tide and easterly winds, the current sea wall in Swanage suffers from overtopping. Overtopping is where waves are driven over the wall causing problems for both town centre businesses and the local community. This is an ongoing issue and has diverse implications for Swanage, impacting upon the environment, businesses and tourism. The impacts of these events on Swanage have demonstrated the need for improved protection.

Currently, the Environment Agency install seasonal temporary defences to protect the town during the winter months, but flood events are not just restricted to the winter season. With increasingly frequent storms events and rising sea levels, Coastal Engineers are currently working towards the provision of permanent flood defences for Swanage.

The engineering design solutions are informed through baseline hydraulic modelling being undertaken on behalf of the project by JBA Consulting . The baseline model represents the current built and natural environment - you must create hydraulic models for the current 'defended/baseline' and 'undefended' scenarios (as applicable). JBA Consulting have completed their initial data review phase with baseline hydraulic modelling having started in mid-November 2022. Following initial model results provided in March 2023, the Project Team have requested a further set of modelling during winter 2023/24 to ensure optimal results to inform design options.

Public engagement feedback is informing specific modelling - this will provide opportunities for this information to be shared with the community in a tailored format in 2024. Previous public consultation results are supporting the outline business case to submit to the Environment Agency for funding to deliver a flood defence scheme. If funding is obtained, there will be further consultation with the wider community and specific groups as the scheme is developed.


How can I find out about the proposed flood defences?

Swanage residents, businesses and organisations who are directly impacted by the proposed flood defences will be invited to participate in engagement events and consultations in spring/summer 2024 to find out more about the proposals. These proposals will be updated as a result of the baseline modelling conducted by JBA Consulting and will be shared with stakeholders through direct contact or open community events throughout 2024 led and facilitated by Dorset Coast Forum on behalf of the project - check the events section for more details.

A regular newsletter dedicated to Dorset Coast Forum projects including the Swanage Town Coastal Protection Scheme is available quarterly so that residents and visitors to Swanage can keep up to date with how our projects are progressing. Sign up and register if you'd like to receive regular eNews updates. Look out too for a planned rolling exhibition at the Swanage Information Centre coming and our 2024 community engagement events hosted by Dorset Coast Forum Project Officer, Sara Parker in conjunction with our partner organisations.


Educational engagement

Dorset Coast Forum recognise that local Swanage schools and organisations will be interested in the project and the outcomes for Swanage both for coastal flood protection and public realm improvements. We encourage inquisitive minds to get involved and will be celebrating Outdoor Classroom Day 2023 on 2 November 2023 with a STEM guided walk for KS2-5 - the 5th free event of this kind we have hosted in Swanage. Contact Sara to find out more or to book your 1 hour learning session outdoors.



Flooding Swanage with Art

As part of the Swanage Town Coastal Protection Scheme the Environment Agency currently install temporary wave barriers during the winter months to protect the town from flood risk.

Street artist Tom Phillipscreating one of the panels inspired by work from Y9 art pupils at Swanage School

A recent disability report commissioned by Swanage Town Council highlighted that the barriers are too grey for the visually impaired to safely see the contrast between the concrete blocks and the pavement. As a result, a community art project was created using art murals on the blocks for both a specific visual impact for the visually impaired; and also to enhance the town using artistic creativity to raise awareness of the impact of sea level rise and coastal flooding.

Installed in 4 locations along the seafront the art trail is one of the most ambitious community art projects in Dorset. Completed and installed in late October 2023 it is accompanied with a printed art trail leaflet available from the Swanage Information Centre, Swanage Library and local shops and businesses. The trail is also available in electronic format on this webpage here. A larger font guide for the visually impaired will soon be available at the Swanage Information Centre.

Combining the creative talent of 6 local artists, 3 schools, Swanage Youth Club, Swanage Scouts and Swanage community group Allsort'd, the project has gratefully received financial support from the Environment Agency and local sponsors.

Guided Talking Art Walks suitable for all ages, and designed to bring the art to life for anyone with a visual impairment, will be available once a month from November to February 2024, check out the events section for details. Led by one of our local project artists, Andy Knill.


Flooding Swanage with Art with be available to view throughout autumn/winter 2023-4 and also autumn winter 2024-5.


Page last updated: 28 Nov 2023, 11:54 AM