Coastal Protection Aggregates

Also known as Rip Rap, rock armour involves placing large, angular stones at the base of cliffs or around coastal infrastructure.
Its benefits include: 

• Allowing water to flow through and around the rocks 

• Dissipating wave energy and reducing impact at the shoreline 

• Visually blending into natural surroundings 

• Supporting biodiversity through habitat creation 

When sourced from quarries with direct access to ports, these materials can be transported quickly and cost-effectively by sea, reducing reliance on long-distance road haulage and minimising carbon emissions. 

Constructed using heavy aggregate stone, these offshore structures: 

• Reduce the force of incoming waves 

• Minimise erosion and structural damage 

• Provide ecological benefits by creating new marine habitats 

• Offer a more environmentally integrated alternative to concrete barriers 

Projects like the Clacton Coastal Protection Scheme demonstrate how large volumes of sand and shingle can be used to restore and reinforce existing beaches. 
This process: 

• Widens and raises the beach profile 

• Encourages waves to break earlier, dissipating energy before reaching cliffs or defences 

• Reduces erosion and flood risk 

• Enhances the beach for recreation and tourism