Alkantstrand erosion worsens
Despite promises, there is still no sign of the hundreds of thousands of cubic metres of dredge deposit.
SPRING tides last week took a huge three-metre bite out of Alkantstrand, with the lifeguard house at the City’s blue flag beach now almost on the brink of a steep dune drop.
Protective sandbanks placed as emergency measures before the summer holiday season have all but washed away as the sea continues its relentless assault on the narrow dune barrier separating the ocean from the land.
As concreted fence poles continue to tumble onto the beach and pose dangers to bathers in the water during high tides, the erosion line has now reached the paving in front of the lifeguard hut and tiles are already being lost.
Storm surges and rising tides – the effect of global warming and melting ice caps – will inevitably totally destroy the facilities at Alkantstrand, making pointless the recent erection of playgrounds and leisure areas.
Despite promises, there is still no sign of the hundreds of thousands of cubic metres of dredge deposit that should have been pumped to replenish lost beach sand.
‘It is extremely disheartening to see the impact on our efforts to make this the best beach in the province,’ said Beach Manager, Shakes Hiraman.
‘While the lifeguard house itself is in no danger of being lost owing to its unique construction, the same cannot be said of the amenities.
‘Something needs to be done, and quickly,’ said Hiraman.
