You are standing on the rock groyne looking E. towards the Northern Sea Wall. In between the rock groynes which date from 1995/96 are the remains of the old wooden groynes built in the mid-1950's. Most were being removed in March 1999 as erosion had caused severe decay, making the groynes ineffective and dangerous. At regular intervals, lorries bring fresh supplies of shingle to replenish the beach. This method of coastal defence is called beach nourishment. The material is dumped over the sea wall and the waves gradually incorporate the material into the beach. It is necessary because longshore drift, driven by strong north-easterly winds, moves the beach material continuously westwards. If the beach was allowed to disappear, the waves would attack the sea wall and increase the risk of flooding.