Downdrift

Beaches further downdrift lost protection, allowing waves to attack the cliff base more readily and increasing erosion and slumping. At Cowden, about 1 km downdrift, the owner of Grange Farm reported an increase in average erosion from about 1 m to 3 m per year following construction. This illustrates why an investigation must consider the coastline beyond the defended settlement, not just whether the defences worked locally.