Cliffs footpath hope

SIDMOUTH residents will be able to continue using Alma Bridge if Devon County Council create a new link on the footpath trail. Councillor Stuart Hughes has been in talks with East Devon District Council and DCC regarding the crumbling cliffs and severe er

SIDMOUTH residents will be able to continue using Alma Bridge if Devon County Council create a new link on the footpath trail.

Councillor Stuart Hughes has been in talks with East Devon District Council and DCC regarding the crumbling cliffs and severe erosion at Pennington Point.

He asked both councils to take an urgent look at the possibility of creating a link onto the Hangar footpath running down from Beatland Road as the current footpath may soon be closed.

DCC officers recently visited the site and have identified an area where a link can be created that would enable people living to the east of the Sid and coastal footpath 120 users to continue using Alma Bridge.

Mr Hughes said: "I am delighted at the quick response from the county council on this important issue for Sidmouth.

"I shall now be pursuing the creation of this link which can hopefully go ahead before we have any further cliff falls in this area and which will most probably see the closure of the present footpath.

"The situation at Pennington Point is so serious that protection works need to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

"There is still at least another month of winter left and in which time the possibility of a severe south easterly storm cannot be ruled out and if it did occur the tidal flooding of Sidmouth could well happen.