S.D.King
10
Sediment Cells
Sediment cells, as defined by Hooke and Bray (1995) are more or less self-contained
circulations of coarse sediment along the coast, and are based on a systems approach of
inputs, transfers, stores and outputs. Research undertaken on behalf of MAFF suggest
that the coastline can be divided into 11 major cells, which can be further sub-divided.
The boundaries of cells generally coincide with large estuaries and prominent headlands
(MAFF, 1993). For example, cell no. 11 covers the north west coast from Great Orme in
North Wales to the River Eden in Cumbria. It is divided into five sub-cells. As sediment
cells appear to reflect natural coastal process boundaries, many groups, such as MAFF,
see them as the linch-pin of integrated coastal planning and protection. Sediment cells
offer the opportunity for new administrative structures to be much more closely related
to natural forms and process units along the coast. However, Hooke and Bray (1995)
debate their usefulness, highlighting a number of problems:
i)
ii)
There are difficulties in identifying and applying the concept of sediment
cells. MAFF themselves admit that “the boundaries of sub-cells are not
definitive, they are based on the best available knowledge of large scale
processes, and may need to be revised as further information becomes
available” (MAFF, 1995, p1)
The concept is not easily applied to finer sediments which are more easily
transported offshore in suspension. Therefore, we cannot be sure of the
exact movements of all coastal sediments.
Hooke and Bray (1995) suggest other criteria for dividing the coast into units,
such as economic, sociological and ecological, although they acknowledge that “a
morphological basis is the least ambiguous and the most functional option for coastal
defence” (Hooke and Bray, 1995, p. 363).
Voluntary Coastal Defence Groups
Over the past decade, MAFF has encouraged the formation of informal coastal defence
groups to co-ordinate and exchange information between neighbouring authorities. Such
groups provide a much-needed regional contact for coastal defence, trying to ensure that
one authority’s defence scheme does not affect adjacent authorities coastlines.
The House of Commons Select Committee on the Environment (1992) see the
existence of such groups as the future for coastal management, recommending that they
become statutory and formally integrated coastal authorities, thus facilitating
management with nature rather than using artificial boundaries. Nevertheless, the
Government has so far rejected this advice, preferring to stay within existing
administrative units. This, perhaps, is because of two problems outlined by Lee (1993).
First, the current defence groups are not entirely based on sediment cells, and secondly,
they are not directly relevant to other aspects of coastal management, such as land use.
However, as long as these defence groups remain non-statutory, they will continue to be
little more than advisory quangos with no powers of their own.
10
Sediment Cells
Sediment cells, as defined by Hooke and Bray (1995) are more or less self-contained
circulations of coarse sediment along the coast, and are based on a systems approach of
inputs, transfers, stores and outputs. Research undertaken on behalf of MAFF suggest
that the coastline can be divided into 11 major cells, which can be further sub-divided.
The boundaries of cells generally coincide with large estuaries and prominent headlands
(MAFF, 1993). For example, cell no. 11 covers the north west coast from Great Orme in
North Wales to the River Eden in Cumbria. It is divided into five sub-cells. As sediment
cells appear to reflect natural coastal process boundaries, many groups, such as MAFF,
see them as the linch-pin of integrated coastal planning and protection. Sediment cells
offer the opportunity for new administrative structures to be much more closely related
to natural forms and process units along the coast. However, Hooke and Bray (1995)
debate their usefulness, highlighting a number of problems:
i)
ii)
There are difficulties in identifying and applying the concept of sediment
cells. MAFF themselves admit that “the boundaries of sub-cells are not
definitive, they are based on the best available knowledge of large scale
processes, and may need to be revised as further information becomes
available” (MAFF, 1995, p1)
The concept is not easily applied to finer sediments which are more easily
transported offshore in suspension. Therefore, we cannot be sure of the
exact movements of all coastal sediments.
Hooke and Bray (1995) suggest other criteria for dividing the coast into units,
such as economic, sociological and ecological, although they acknowledge that “a
morphological basis is the least ambiguous and the most functional option for coastal
defence” (Hooke and Bray, 1995, p. 363).
Voluntary Coastal Defence Groups
Over the past decade, MAFF has encouraged the formation of informal coastal defence
groups to co-ordinate and exchange information between neighbouring authorities. Such
groups provide a much-needed regional contact for coastal defence, trying to ensure that
one authority’s defence scheme does not affect adjacent authorities coastlines.
The House of Commons Select Committee on the Environment (1992) see the
existence of such groups as the future for coastal management, recommending that they
become statutory and formally integrated coastal authorities, thus facilitating
management with nature rather than using artificial boundaries. Nevertheless, the
Government has so far rejected this advice, preferring to stay within existing
administrative units. This, perhaps, is because of two problems outlined by Lee (1993).
First, the current defence groups are not entirely based on sediment cells, and secondly,
they are not directly relevant to other aspects of coastal management, such as land use.
However, as long as these defence groups remain non-statutory, they will continue to be
little more than advisory quangos with no powers of their own.