Essential beach management to protect the district’s coastline is to commence from this week.

The work – which involves the recycling and regrading of shingle beaches between Fisherman’s Beach in Hythe to Folkestone Harbour – always takes place around this time of year.

Following the significant impact caused by various storms in recent months, surveys have shown it to be necessary to begin and complete the task as soon as possible.

The safety of workers is paramount to Folkestone & Hythe District Council (F&HDC) and the authority has worked closely with its contractor to ensure measures are put in place in light of the COVID-19 guidance issued by central government.

Cllr John Collier, F&HDC Cabinet Member for Property Management and Grounds Maintenance, said: “We clearly need to guard against any risk of suffering tidal flooding at a time where people are being urged to stay at home.

“This isn’t a case of doing work to simply make the beach look nice for the summer – it is for the benefit of our residents by providing protection to the sea wall and therefore reduce the risk of flooding and coastal erosion.

“The safety of workers is, as always, paramount, and those carrying out the work will be operating one-crew vehicles and travelling to and from the site on their own.”

The enhancement of the coastline’s defences is expected to take a number of weeks to complete.