Repairs begin on storm-damaged beaches

Work has started in Knokke-Heist to repair damage to beaches caused by a severe storm in January, Flanders' public works minister Ben Weyts has announced. The repairs are expected to cost €17 million.

The storm was anticipated for days in advance and precautions taken to limit flooding on the seafront. In the end, the storm, nicknamed Dieter, was less severe on land than expected but caused a great deal of damage to beaches.

High seas and strong winds caused large quantities of sand to be washed away, in some places leaving behind a sort of cliff in the sand up to several metres high. “Dieter displaced more than 1.25 million tonnes of sand,” said Weyts, who was in Knokke to observe the start of the works. “We started planning how to repair the damage immediately after.”

In Knokke, some 300,000 cubic metres of sand from the sea bottom will be sprayed over two kilometres of beach to replace sand that was washed away. Later, works will move south to De Haan, Bredene and Middelkerke.

The intention is to complete repairs by mid-April. The Easter school holiday starts on 1 April, but Weyts stressed there would be no disruption to tourists.

Photo courtesy De Standaard