Introduction

Coastal defence construction features generally fall into two categories:

Hard Defences

Static shoreline structures such as those constructed from timber, steel, concrete, asphalt and rubble.

These involve linear structures such as sea walls and revetments and control structures such as artificial headlands and groynes.

Soft Defences

Mobile/ responsive defence measures which seek to work with nature rather than control it.

Such structures may consist of sand or shingle beaches and dunes or banks which may be natural or constructed, and may include control structures.

These can include the soft solutions of beach nourishment, cliff/dune stabilisation, bypassing and managed retreat.