Newlyn's eco-blocks: low carbon coastal management research and development
Introduction
The Environment Agency’s national strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) shows we need to move away from the narrow concept of protection. It sets out our vision to move to a wider concept of resilience to flooding and coastal change.
One solution is low-carbon concrete armour which is designed to also provide habitat for marine life. We think these ‘eco-blocks’ can be used in the construction of future FCERM schemes. Before we can use them to construct defences such as breakwaters, we need to expose the eco-blocks to high wave energy. This will make sure their features and properties suit the harsh breakwater environments.
Between 2022 and 2023, we worked with Kier and Atkins to install 88 eco-blocks at Newlyn, west Cornwall. This was done around an existing rock armour breakwater.
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About the Author
Environment Agency
We are the Environment Agency. We work to create better places for people and wildlife, and support sustainable development.
Further information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/newlyn-coastal-research-and-development-project/
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