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Hjørring Municipality plans ambitious beach restoration project amid high costs and erosion challenges

Monday 22nd 2024 on 15:44 in  
Denmark

Hjørring Municipality has ambitious plans to restore its sandy beaches to their former glory from two decades ago while also protecting the summer houses clinging precariously to the dunes. The municipality aims to cover the existing coastal protection structures with 10 million cubic meters of sand; however, the estimated cost is staggering—650 million kroner, or potentially up to one billion kroner according to experts.

Peter Frigaard, a lecturer at Aalborg University, notes that while restoring the beaches and safeguarding the houses is possible, the financial implications are significant. Current beach conditions have deteriorated, leading to challenges such as navigating large stones to reach the water, and in some places, access is completely blocked.

Despite the high costs and lack of a financial plan, Hjørring Municipality is determined to pursue the goal of replenished beaches. Christina Kærsgaard, a coastal worker, stated that with sufficient sand, the coastline can be rebuilt, even after decades of erosion.

Frigaard warns that hard coastal protection methods, like granite, not only protect some areas but also lead to increased erosion on neighboring unprotected stretches. He suggests that maintaining the coastline with hard structures could threaten the beaches’ existence.

While the dream of expansive, beautiful sandy shores with secure summer houses is enticing, it comes with enormous costs. Even if the municipality secures significant funding from national or EU sources, ongoing maintenance and replacement of lost sand will present a continual financial burden. Kærsgaard emphasized the importance of action, as the locality heavily relies on tourism driven by beach access for swimming and walking along the shore.

Source 
(via dr.dk)