Dorset’s coastline is eroding. Rapidly. It has been met with two very different responses. Swanage and Lulworth both experience an eroding coastline. Swanage sees it as a threat, the people and land need to be protected. By contrast Lulworth almost embraces the erosional process. But why the different approach? Swanage Bay’s wide sandy beach attracts thousands of visitors throughout the year. There are many “tourist in mind” buildings along the Bay, like hotels, B and B’s, restaurants and cafes- which all contribute to the local economy. However the geology of Swanage doesn’t seem to want to support this. Made out of clay sands, this soft rock makes the surrounding land vulnerable to storms and big waves. To protect it, Swanage have opted for the “do maximum” approach in protecting their coastline. They have replenished the beach, installed timber groynes and have built a sea wall. Costing £5 million, why go to such lengths? To protect the high value land of business which contributes to their economy.
Lulworth. A beautiful, picturesque village home to some of the most scenic sights in the whole of England. Split into East and West Lulworth, there is something about Lulworth that makes it a popular tourist attraction year in, year out; and it’s not their unique gin and tonic sorbet ice- cream. Lulworth hosts part of the Jurassic Coastline. It is a coastline that holds insight into the past by revealing fossils of all kinds. From crustaceans to mammal’s teeth, it’s a site which also attracts many tourists. When I visited Lulworth I went and saw two hotspots- Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. These sites are SSSI- Sites of Special Scientific Interest. These sites have been recognised for their interesting possession of fossils and are protected from any harmful action that could interfere with natural make-up of the coastline. Geologists and palaeontologists want the coastline to keep falling away so that potentially, more fossils are exposed, allowing us to gain a better insight into the Jurassic world.
An erosional coastline can be met with different views. My conclusion is that it all depends on what your interests are, as to whether an eroding cliff will affect you undesirably or positively.
