Due to rising sea levels, it is predicted that up to 180 residential and commercial properties in the main part of Sidmouth are at risk of being flooded by the sea in the future whilst before our very eyes, the cliffs along East Beach are collapsing.
Over the past decade what to do about this has been subject to great debate and disagreement among the district council, representatives of town businesses, residents who live above East Beach cliffs and local sea associated organisations.
Many possible options for how to protect the town and East Beach have been considered, evaluated, rejected, re-considered and costed. It was never going to be easy to find an agreed approach to what are expensive and complex civil engineering designs. But now we have got there, thanks to the commitment amongst all of those who have participated in the district council-led Sidmouth Beach Management Plan Advisory Group to find a workable set of solutions.
The group met again last week and supported the latest options for protecting the town and cliffs. Most of the funding of this almost £20 million project will be provided through the Environment Agency, but significantly the district council’s Cabinet recently agreed to fund the project’s nearly £2 million shortfall.
Now detailed design can take place for the construction of an offshore breakwater, a splash wall to the eastern end of the sea front, futureproofing of foundations for a section of the splash wall to the west, remedial works to the River Sid training wall and improvement to the slipway, plus construction of a groyne to protect East Beach and its cliffs. That’s a big project!
Additionally, there will be further public consultation, planning considerations, tenders for specialist contractors and materials with the commencement of the substantial works targeted for spring 2025.
I know that there has been a lot of frustration over how long this project has taken and what the design options should be. But we now have broad consensus about what should be built to protect the town and cliffs. It is important to make sure this complex project delivers the right solutions.
As a district councillor I am proud of the great Ham area improvements we are bringing from this project and next year’s Drill Hall arrival of Rockfish with their inclusion of public toilet provision in place of the existing Ham toilets. It’s all looking positive!
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