Coopers Beach

Year Implemented

2020

Project Type

Unmanaged realignment

Country

United Kingdom

Location

Mersea Island

Longitude

0.968267550793963

Latitude

51.7828787730367

Habitat(s) Created

Lagoon
Mudflat
Saltmarsh

Size

12 Hectares

Why Undertaken

Flood Risk Management
Other

Project Description Summary

At this site (also known as "Rewsalls" from the name of the lane to the west), a decision was taken to abandon the existing sea wall. This decision was evidently taken after the site was hit by severe storms in January 2014. At that time it sustained a lot of damage. The coastal footpath along the old sea wall was then closed and because it was unsafe. It was later realigned.

With lack of maintenance the sea defences gradually deteriorated (see photo attached). In 2020 the wall failed altogether. A single primary breach (just 8m -wide) has formed in its eastern side close to the Coopers Beach Caravan Park. The area is now primarily saltmarsh habitat. The video and images (by Jim Pullen) show the state of the wall before it was overtopped as well as the morphology and habitats of the site in 2023 (two years after it became intertidal).