Reclamation of land top priority

THE MOST recent proposals to redevelop the entire Aquarena complex via a consortium of interested parties are admirable, yet at the same time, perhaps secondary to the major issue '“ that is the acquisition of land by means of foreshore reclamation.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Dec 2009, 12:53 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 00:58 BST

Environmental expertise is an essential requisite in this respect but I venture to suggest that the limited reclamation for such a project would be detrimental.

The topography of the Worthing coastline, the known littoral movement and tidal drift, coupled with the predominant south-westerly winds, already make our beaches a haven for seaweed deposits every year.

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I would predict that any reclamation of reasonable magnitude to the east of Splash Point would exacerbate the seaweed problem on the beaches to the west of Splash Point.

Our first priority, therefore, should be an extensive foreshore reclamation, as outlined in my 1971 paper, which was rejected without real consideration by the borough engineer at that time.

All future development would naturally follow as the reclaiming area stabilised with, I would hope, a golf links west of the existing pier, which would sadly perhaps be a sacrificial lamb for the eventual betterment of Worthing.

Future developments east of the pier would have to be on piled foundations, which should further stabilise any reclaimed land.

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In the ultimate, we could have a foreshore, which might offer some further protection against the inevitable effects of unchecked global warming which threaten to inundate the more vulnerable coastal regions.

I believe all this is vital for the future of Worthing and, equally importantly, for the generations to follow.

J.W.F. Hall

C Eng, M I Struct E

Leeward Road

Worthing

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