NHER 26783 (Cropmark and Earthwork record) - Post medieval sea defences

January 2001. NMP.
A 1.5km section of earthwork bank is visible running from TF 7517 4506 to TF 7647 4466 on 1945 APs (S1 & S2). It has an offshoot at TF 7591 4502, which runs c.1km northeast to southwest. The fact that the bank suggests that it is some form of sea defence, the origins of which are pre 1905, as it is depicted as an earthwork on the OS 2nd edition map (S3), apparently enclosing a number of cultivated fields and forming a boundary with the salt marshes. However, 1972 aerial photographs (S4) show a serious breach of this bank, with most of it being eroded and covered by the sea, with the exception of the section east of TF 7606 4499.
That this land had previously seen attempts at reclamation is suggested by the offshoot of the main coastal bank, which runs from TF 7503 4467 - TF 7592 4502. This feature is recorded on a map of 1786 as 'The Lords Old Bank' (S5), which suggests some former activity in this area. The sea banks would thus appear to be of post-medieval origin.
Part of the bank appears to have been adapted for World War Two defensive purposes, as 4 pillboxes are visible as structures in the section of the bank TF 7591 4503 - TF 7637 4490. The structures are between 100 and 150m apart. They may have been previously recorded as NHER 15558, 18069, 18071 and 18070. In the 1972 aerial photographs, the pillbox at TF 7594 4501 is in the intertidal area and has been greatly damaged. The pillbox at TF 7606 4498 stands just below the high water mark, while the other two appear to remain 'in situ'. These pillboxes would have been part of the World War Two coastal defences of this area.
Grid Referencess from aerial photographs: - TF 7594 4501, TF 7606 4498, TF 7619 4495, TF 7634 4491.
A. Hunt (NMP), 26 January 2001.