At Bawdsey, Suffolk, England the shingle beach has moved inshore, the lagoon has been reduced in size, and beach sediment has accumulated next to the coastal defence flood barrier. The beach is now several metres above the land on the other side of the flood defence wall. A beach is often the best defence against waves but in this case there is such a smooth gradient that in storm conditions the profile will take water up and over the defences. The co-incidence of high tide, low pressure and strong easterly winds could lead to a serious breach here.
