Editing River Stour, Kent (section)

===Stonar Cut===
In the mid-18th century, it became necessary to alleviate the problem of flooding along the lower course of the Stour.  The action of tidal drift of shingle along the coast had resulted in the huge loop at the estuary end of the river, and on 29 November 1774 an [[Act of Parliament]] was enacted to bypass the loop at the narrowest end, at [[Stonar]]. The works, to become known as the ''Stonar Cut'', made use of an existing sluice to cut across the neck of the loop, and were completed in 1776.

During [[World War I]], huge volumes of both troops and supplies were needed on the Continent and, in the utmost secrecy, a new port was built at Richborough.  Landing facilities along the Cut were built, and the [[East Kent Light Railway]] was extended to service the port. Nothing now remains of much of those works, and the Cut has been allowed to return to its natural state.<ref>{{cite web | location = UK | url = http://www.thanetarch.co.uk/Virtual%20Museum/2_Galleries/G11%20Content/Virtual_Museum_Gallery_11_Display_1.html | work = Stonar Cut | title = Introduction | publisher = Trust for Thanet Archaeology | access-date = 15 March 2010}}</ref>