WHAT DO YOU THINK? LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW

It is interesting to compare the meteorological and tidal conditions of the recent, most damaging storm in February with those of a similar storm in February 1990, 24 years ago.

Three things were critical in both instances, spring tides, storm force winds of gusts of up to 11 or even 12 Beaufort, and crucially South South West to southerly wind direction.

The direction of the wind is the key factor.

The prevailing south westerly wind, even in extreme conditions has maintained the stability of Chesil Bank and even in the corner of Chesil Cove has had a ‘constructive’ rather than a ‘destructive’ effect on the beach itself.

Speculation therefore arises as how to protect the inner cove and village of Chiswell in times of this southerly deviation of wind direction in extreme conditions.

My contention is that the introduction of a reef, stretching, from an optimum point below West Cliff, and running two or maybe three hundred metres northwards, parallel to the beach, would, theoretically, have the effect of absorbing much of the damaging wave energy, thus protecting the sea defences and therefore Chiswell itself and added to this an eco-stability that could benefit all, even for recreational purposes making the cove a safer bathing area and also an attraction for anglers and divers alike.

The main problem attached to such a large-scale civil engineering project is its irreversibility should the ‘solution’ fail in achieving a beneficial outcome.

Not only would such an undertaking be required to protect Chiswell but other factors, chiefly maintaining the ecological balance existing in the area at present and the integrity of the Chesil Bank in its entirety, are paramount this being a World Heritage site.

As a possible answer to this problem I was inspired by the presence of the two Mulberry harbours now lying neglected and unused in Portland Port.

These structures, or ones of similar design, could be towed around to Chesil Cove and submerged to form an artificial and, if necessary, temporary reef at the location suggested above.

They would only be visible at low water and should they, in time, create environmentally adverse outcomes, could be easily removed.

However if this idea were to prove effective, although involving a considerable initial outlay, would prevent future, periodically repeated shelling-out of £600,000 sums.

I feel that the possibilities of a Chesil Reef are well worth discussing, as for how long can we go on Canute-like trying to fight a rearguard action against Mother Nature?

Steve Daly, St Alban Street, Weymouth