Cash pledge boosts Sidmouth cliffs plan
Cliff fall at Sidmouth, taken 8.00am on Friday, 21 June. Picture submitted by Liz Elliott. Ref shs cliff fall - Credit: Archant
HOPES of a beach management plan for Sidmouth have been boosted after the Environment Agency (EA) vowed to match £7,500 that residents have pledged towards the project.
Cliff Road homeowners said in May that they were willing to come up with funds towards the long-awaited blueprint if the authority was able to add to its contribution.
The plan will pinpoint how best to tackle rapid erosion of Pennington Point.
And the aspiration of the people whose properties are at risk now looks like becoming a reality, according to Councillor Stuart Hughes.
“I have been successful in getting additional money [£7,500] towards the plan,” said the county’s cabinet member for flooding.
“Hopefully, that will unlock £7,500 from local residents. That’s the funding that is required to start it. I am keeping my fingers crossed some good is going to come out of the beach management plan and we’re going to get some kind of scheme to protect Sidmouth from the sea for the next 50 to 100 years.”
The plan is expected to cost £80,000 in total, with £27,000 so far committed by East Devon District Council and a similar amount from the EA.
