COUNTY officers have responded quickly to an urgent request to look into diverting Hangar Path, off Alma Bridge, Sidmouth, which is at threat after recent cliff falls at Pennington Point.

COUNTY officers have responded quickly to an urgent request to look into diverting Hangar Path, off Alma Bridge, Sidmouth, which is at threat after recent cliff falls at Pennington Point.

County Councillor Stuart Hughes contacted Ian Harrison, director of transport at Devon County Council and EDDC's chief executive Mark Williams last week asking them to take an urgent look a the possibility of diverting the path or creating a link to it.

The path runs down from Beatlands Road and Cliff Road to Alma Bridge, and links residents in Eastern Town with Sidmouth town centre.

Mr Harrison sent officers to look at the situation following the spate of falls at Pennington Point.

They have identified an area where a link can be created that would enable those living east of the River Sid and coastal footpath 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 and 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, 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.