SOUTH SURREY - So far, so good for a new way to battle erosion at Crescent Beach.
Erik Seiz, president of the Crescent Beach Property Owners Association, said an experimental structure installed by the City of Surrey in recent months has stood up to the harsh storm weather often experienced in the area."They just finished it a few months ago and it makes it easier for people to get from the promenade down to the beach, otherwise it's quite a harsh step down from the rock if the beach has been eroded," explained Seiz.The area in question is at the end of Beecher Street and typically experiences washout conditions due to high tides and storms."We've had big erosion problems here before where parts have been washed away all the way up to the promenade and these have done a fantastic job, there's no weather wear whatsoever," said Seiz.Carrie Baron, drainage and environment manager for the City of Surrey, said the initiative came about as a way to allow residents easier access to the waterfront and were made with leftover parts from waterbreakers called groynes."We didn't put stairs in but we put in a ramp that would make it easier for people," said Baron.While the structure was installed a few months back, winter is typically the harshest season for waves and storms and so Baron said the city was keeping a close eye on how it performs these next few weeks."It's experimental right now so we'll see how we do after this season," she said. "It may need to be topped up over time because we're sure the gravel will be washed out of it."Seiz commended the city on the project and is hopeful it'll stick around for the long term.cpoon@thenownewspaper.com