Geography Case Study - Lyme Regis

• Describe Lyme Regis

  • Small coastal town on the south coast of England
  • Lies on a world heritage site known as the Jurassic coast
  • Popular tourist destination
  • Population increases from 4,000 to 15,000 in summer months
• What are the reasons for managements of the Lyme Regis coastline?

  • The town is built on unstable cliffs
  • The coastline is eroding at the fastest rate in Europe
  • The sea wall has been breached multiple times
  • Popular tourist location
  • Built on the Jurassic coast
• What has been done to manage the Lyme Regis coastline?

  • Lyme Regis environmental improvement scheme
  • New 390m sea wall
  • Creation of new sand/shingle beaches
  • Extension of rock armour
  • Reinforcement of cliffs
• What are the positives of managing Lyme Regis' coastline?

  • Increases visitors
  • Thriving businesses
  • New defences have survived recent storms and harsh conditions
  • Better protected harbour
• What are the negatives of managing the Lyme Regis coastline?

  • Increases congestion and litter due to tourists
  • Damage to local landscape
  • Neighboring settlements may be effected
  • Prevention of revealing new fossils along the Jurassic coast