Pevensey to Eastbourne: News and resources

We have begun this season with all systems go. The Hastings recycle operation is still underway but will pause briefly next week to allow the Environment Agency to carry out the first Eastbourne bypass of the season.

This time a key part of the Eastbourne bypass will be a trial of electric plant and vehicles on the operation. The trial will help us assess whether electric machinery can operate effectively in the demanding beach environment, better understand the benefits it may bring to the local community and support a more sustainable approach to future beach management.

As this is a significant step forward for beach management operations, you may see drone filming and an increase in visitors to the area while the trial is taking place.

As part of the bypass operation, surplus material will be removed from the rock spur at White Point and, if time permits, additional material will also be removed from the outer harbour where sediment has gradually accumulated over the summer. This material will then be transported by road lorries to Sovereign Harbour, where it will be tipped and transferred by dumpers along the frontage as part of the ongoing beach management works.

Please can we ask that you take care around work areas, follow signs and beach marshal instructions, and keep dogs on leads near machinery.

Once these works are complete, the Hastings Bypass will resume until the end of October.

The Sospan Dau has returned for another week and will continue recharging the frontage intermittently until the end of November.

What a busy summer it has been with lots going on, from ground investigations to beach / groyne public safety works and new signage installed in several areas.

As the days are beginning to draw in and with the likelihood of the weather changing, we are beginning to return to the beach to start this winter’s beach management campaign.

There are lots of planned works for this autumn which will commence next week.

The Sospan Dau is expected to begin the 6-week shingle recharge campaign at Sovereign Harbour from the 17 September. The shingle is dredged offshore from a shingle bank just off the coast of Littlehampton. The Sospan Dau rainbow’s material on to the beach at high tide. It will carry out on average 2 recharges each day depending on weather, tides and crew changeover. Over the winter it will be alternating between here and Elmer Beach carrying out shingle replenishment.

The bull dozers have arrived in the depot and will begin working along the beach crest as from Monday 14 September. The recycling team will be starting shortly. With some erosion seen over the summer holidays and with a very high spring tide this weekend, the team are likely to be working in various areas across the frontage.

Other works also planned are the Eastbourne shingle bypass to Sovereign Harbour. This is likely to start early October. We are also hoping to be undertaking another Hastings Recycle as the previous trial went so well.

If you have any boats, tables, fencing out on the beach crest, please could we ask you to move them now, to allow the dumpers and dozers to travel past safely, we thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Our Summer 2026 newsletter is now available.

This edition explores the work taking place beneath the beach and how ground investigations are helping to build the evidence needed for future coastal improvements. You'll also find information about ongoing beach management activities, beach safety, and our interactive StoryMap, which explores the past, present and future of the coastline.

Read the newsletter to discover how we're managing today's coastline while planning for the future.

[Read the Summer 2026 newsletter]

Watch Facebook reel