How could flood defences destroy the local trade
Unless they're defences against a flood of shoppers. I can just imagine some huge concrete blocks standing in the road, dressed in tuxedo's, turning people away because they're full.
(stimpy, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:16, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

I dont know
something to do with them being big and ugly and blocking the view of all the neon-clad "fun pubs"
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:20, Reply)

they're not all that big though
and have been made about as nice looking as possible.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:21, Reply)

The ones that are stones in wire cages don't look that bad
Particularly if they're shaped the cages in to something other than square blocks. People don't like change though, even if it stops them from having to wake up to find the dog doing laps of the living room.
(stimpy, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:25, Reply)

those are called gabion baskets
don't work too well for sea defences. they've gone with concrete at weston, but good quality finishes and stuff. attractive granite benches, that kind of stuff. apparantly skater kids have already started to fuck things up by grinding on them
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:27, Reply)

They don't? Fair enough
Concrete can look ok when done well, and it sounds like they've really tried. Why won't people build skateboard detecting benches though, with built in tasers?
(stimpy, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:30, Reply)

wave forces would probably break them apart, and the wires are either galvanised, or plastic coated
neither of which would last all that long in a salty, sandy, wet environment.

that would be good. I suggested surprising notches along the length so that the skaters get catapulted off.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:32, Reply)

I don't know why they don't
just accept that people will use it as a skate park and actually incorporate some decent bits into it to get people to skate in one place rather than covering everything with bobbles.
(Bazongaloid, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:34, Reply)

that sort of stuff is down to the council
and you are trying to assign them some credit for possessing the capacity for logical thought
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:36, Reply)

It makes sense
Although, the loose stones would then spill out, slowly being ground to sand, making a much better beach in the long run. As I remember form GCSE that long beaches are the best tidal defence. Could very well be wrong though, it was some time ago!

Just thinking. If the skaters are wearing out the benches, the way granite cracks it would create those notches anyway... so they're really hoisting themselves by theor own petards.
(stimpy, Wed 14 Oct 2009, 10:36, Reply)