Easter deadline for £10k storm damage repairs
Workmen have started to demolish the wall above cliff walk in Connaught Gardens. Photo by Terry Ife. Ref shs 2509-10-14TI To order your copy of this photograph go to www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on myphotos24 - Credit: Archant
URGENT repairs totalling £10,000 have been carried out at both ends of storm-hit Sidmouth seafront in order to get two vital links re-opened in time for Easter.
Beach huts damaged at Jacobs Ladder, Sidmouth. Picture by Alex Walton. Ref shs 6102-10-14AW - Credit: Archant
East Devon District Council (EDDC) arranged for works to a cracked and dangerous wall at Connaught Gardens and on the Alma Walkway near the mouth of the River Sid.
Contractors got the project underway at Connaught Gardens last Monday and moved on to Alma Walkway before the end of the week.
Each project will cost around £5,000.
The problem wall at Connaught Gardens, which has left the below Millennium Walkway shut, has been taken down and will be reinstated at a later date.
You may also want to watch:
In the meantime, the cliff will be made safe so that it is possible to reopen the seafront pathway in time for the Easter tourist season.
Workers told the Herald this week that the closures had not stopped some people risking serious injury by using the route.
Most Read
- 1 New owner sought for prominent Sidmouth seafront businesses
- 2 Supermarket chain planning four new stores in East Devon
- 3 Sporting tribute to club stalwart from grateful members
- 4 It's official - Devon is one of the most popular places to live
- 5 Three designer handbags stolen from a shop in Sidmouth
- 6 Alderman honour for councillor devoted to serving community
- 7 Fundraiser makes brief stop on charity trek
- 8 'More visible' speed limit signs to be installed on A375 Sidbury Hill
- 9 Woman flown to hospital after fall
- 10 After shopping in town why not give your feet a treat
Stormy seas have also inflicted damage on the support cross-members of Jacob’s Ladder and to the surface of the platform at the foot of the landmark. Repairs will be made during the current phase of works and shingle will be moved away from the railings at the spot.
At Alma Walkway, the cliff will be ‘trimmed’ and protected by netting so that the footpath below can be reopened.
Clearance work and repairs will also take place near the fishermen’s area at Port Royal.
The cost of fixing decimated beach huts at Jacob’s Ladder is expected to be more than £10,000 – but part of this will be covered by insurance. Repairs are underway and should be complete in time for Easter, says the council.
