An annual programme of works is carried out to maintain, repair and strengthen Guernsey's sea defences.
The Island's Coastal defences are sections of frontage that provide direct protection to the land behind.
These may be man-made structures, such as walls or rock armour revetments, or natural features, such as shingle banks and sand dunes, or a combination of the two. Coastal Defence is the general term used to encompass both protection against coastal erosion and sea defence against coastal flooding.
It is important that proactive maintenance works to our sea defences is undertaken to preserve their life and function and reduce the risk of significant damage or failure. This in turn ensures they continue to provide protection to other infrastructure, such as roads, utilities and properties. This is why the Coastal Infrastructure Team has an annual programme of works to strengthen Guernsey's sea defences against the relentless pressures imposed by the sea.
A major factor in deciding the defence value of the infrastructure is what the coastal defence infrastructure is protecting. Coastal defences are therefore assessed and prioritised based on the protection they provide to other infrastructure, such as roads, utilities and property, which are scored and ranked in terms of their importance.
For more information contact coastaldefences@gov.gg.
