Protecting Sidmouth from the sea is at least a year away after the district council announced the detailed planning stage of the town’s coastal defence work will not be completed until autumn 2027.
East Devon District Council (EDDC) this week revealed it had picked a contractor for the town’s £21million coastal defence work.
EDDC hoped the first stage of detailed design and further technical work would be completed in autumn 2027.
The contract has gone to a Hampshire-based firm to carry out the design and delivery of shoring up Sidmouth seafront and East Beach from rising sea levels.
The district council said the multi-million-pound work would help protect Sidmouth seafront – and areas between Jacob’s Ladder and East Beach – from erosion and flooding for the next 100 years.
Planned work involves ‘reshaping and strengthening the beach’, building new structures offshore and on the shoreline to help break up waves and keep more sand and shingle in place.
EDDC said the aim was to reduce the risk of flooding and damage to homes, businesses and the promenade over the long term, ‘while keeping the beach usable and looking as natural as possible’.
Map shows the areas of Sidmouth beach where coastal defence work will be carried out.
Image: EDDC.
After consulting residents and businesses, the authority said the work would be carried out in two stages, to include environmental assessments and construction preparation.
The proposed coastal defence work includes:
- New offshore breakwaters
- Adding shingle on Town Beach and East Beach
- New 120m groyne to the east of East Beach
- Replacement of existing splash wall foundations for future upgrades
- Improved flood gates on the Esplanade
- New access ramp at the eastern end of Town Beach
- New flood defences at the eastern end of Town Beach for new ramp access
- Repairs and improvements to the River Sid wall
EDDC said the long-term investment in Sidmouth and East Beach would help protect homes, businesses, roads, services and the local environment from flooding, erosion, rising sea levels and climate change
Councillor Geoff Jung, EDDC portfolio holder for environment, said: “Appointing a supplier to develop the detailed design is a major step forward for Sidmouth and East Beach Coastal Defence Scheme.
“This milestone brings us closer to protecting Sidmouth’s coastline, homes and businesses for the long term.
“We will continue working with partners and the local community to shape a scheme that delivers lasting protection while respecting the character of the town.”
Pictured here, L to R are: Steve Donnelly, South West Flood and Coastal, Tony Burch, Advisory Group), Andrew Hancock, Tom Buxton-Smith, Cllr Geoff Jung, Cllr Ian Barlow, all from EDDC, Cllr Hilary Nelson, Cllr Chris Lockyear both from Sidmouth Town Council, Steve Kershaw (South West Flood and Coastal). Photo: EDDC.
Contractor Boskalis Westminster Limited will work in partnership with the South West Flood and Coastal team, East Devon District Council, and key partners including the Environment Agency, Devon County Council and Sidmouth Town Council.
A spokesperson for Boskalis Westminster Ltd said: “We are committed to working closely with EDDC, South West Flood and Coastal team and the local community to ensure that the completed scheme not only provides enhanced coastal defence but is also sympathetic to the needs of residents and UNESCO World Heritage site at East Beach.”
