Coastal defence options to be considered

A panel tasked with helping produce Sidmouth’s long-awaited beach management plan (BMP) will meet tomorrow (Friday) to discuss coastal defence options for the town.

The BMP steering group will consider a long list of possible solutions to protect the eroding shoreline – including removing rock groynes from the main beach or raising the height of the wall along The Esplanade.

Experts working to produce the plan have weighed up the costs and benefits of each option.

They have also taken into account environmental and regeneration issues.

The steering group, which is made up of residents, councillors and representatives from other groups involved in the project, will give its feedback and help whittle down the possible options into a shortlist.

Other coastal defence options on the long list include more offshore breakwaters, a replacement promenade at Jacob’s Ladder and new ‘low-level groynes’ off the eastern beach. Also being considered is the beefing-up of existing defences, a continuation of the ‘shingle recycling’ that took place last January – and doing nothing.