The dredger belongs to global marine contractor Van Oord, which began work to extend a section of Hove beach on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Council on August 3. Thousands of tonnes of shingle are being pumped by the dredger through a 700 metre pipe to fill a new groyne field. Work to construct the new timber groyne field has already been taking place since the start of the year. The groynes will become largely buried beneath the replenished beach once the work is completed, with only the upper sections remaining visible. “We’ve seen for many years the impact storms can have, with tonnes of shingle washing up onto the promenade.