East Lindsey District Council has invested £120,000 for a new specialist JCB sand clearance machine which will help the management of wind-blown sand along the district’s coastline.
The new machine will be operated alongside existing equipment by the new Pride in East Lindsey (Coastal Access) team, which is based in Mablethorpe.
Wind-blown sand has been a persistent challenge along East Lindsey’s coastline, for many years, particularly on the promenades at Mablethorpe and Sutton-on-Sea.
The promenades in these towns also serve as vital sea defences for local communities, with beach nourishment works carried out by the Environment Agency raising beach levels to protect nearby homes from coastal flooding.
As a result, windy conditions can quickly lead to sand being blown onto footpaths, cycleways, beach huts and even local businesses; often returning just as fast as it is cleared.
Cllr Martin Foster, Portfolio Holder for Operational Services at East Lindsey District Council, said: “Our coastline is one of East Lindsey’s greatest assets, but it also comes with very real, ongoing challenges which we as the district authority have to manage; wind-blown sand is a natural issue along open promenades like this, particularly where they also serve as important sea defences.
“This new specialist JCB, alongside additional staff, is a significant investment that will help us manage those challenges far more effectively.
“It gives our teams the ability to respond more quickly and keep coastal paths as clear and accessible as possible for residents and visitors.”
In addition to supporting work at Mablethorpe and Sutton-on-Sea, the team will also provide specialist support to the cross-organisation King Charles III England Coastal Path – Sand Partnership, assisting partner authorities and private landowners with sand management challenges across the wider East Lindsey coastline.
For more information about East Lindsey’s award-winning beaches, please visit https://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/article/5785/Beaches.
