Fifty years ago, I worked on a sand dredger out of Exmouth.

We would sail up the channel near the Isle of Wight and suck up 2000 tonnes of sand and ballast to discharge in Southampton or Poole and several other ports.

At that time, there were several other ships doing the same thing all around the coast.

This has been going on for over a hundred years totalling millions of tonnes.

I’m no engineer, but I do know that if you dig a hole in the sand, it will soon fill up.

In my opinion, the rise in sea levels is a minor problem; the problem is our beaches are disappearing and the tide is coming further up the beach.

Crown Estates issue (rent) these dredging licences and make a lot of money.

The majority of this sand and ballast is used for making concrete for building work.

I really think planners should get our drainage sorted out before building more houses.

Maybe Crown Estates could contribute.

Keith Graham
Exmouth