Coasts are a kind of frontier zone, a battleground in which wave energy is the principal force. The importance of ‘fetch’ and wind direction are explained by the presenter, Eliot Brown, using maps.

02.30 — 04.30

Geological conditions influence the results of waves breaking at Lulworth Cove.

04.30 — 05.20

Over the last 10,000 years, these factors have influenced coastal evolution in the Poole and Bournemouth bays.

05.20 — 07.09

Footage of the recent Beachy Head cliff fall shows how changes can also be rapid.

07.09 — 09.34

How transport and deposition remove the products of erosion. Longshore drift, spit and beach formation are illustrated along the Dorset and Hampshire coasts.

09.34 — 12.15

Coastal resorts such as Bournemouth are dependent on their beaches: a look at the costs and benefits of protection and replenishment.

12.15 — 13.02

The knock-on effect in unprotected sections of coast, such as Barton.

13.02 — 15.38

Terracettes produced by rotational cliff slumping at Barton. Why the shortage of beach material and the nature of the local geology lead to cliff collapse.

15.38 — 16.59

Beach repair operations and local property along the cliff tops. How decisions are made: some buildings are protected; while others are left to the mercy of the sea at Barton.

16.59 — 18.54

Bournemouth’s future is discussed in terms of broad management issues. If left to nature, the urban zone would rapidly lose territory to the sea; but economic factors will prevent this from happening.