Residents and businesses are being invited to have their say on four options to shore up Sidmouth’s seafront.
East Devon District Council (EDDC) is drawing up a beach management plan (BMP) and is keen to hear from members of the public.
The options focus on reshaping or changing the number of rock groynes protecting the town and east beaches.
The plans will be exhibited in Kennaway House between 2pm and 7pm on Wednesday (June 15).
Members of the BMP steering group will be considering the options the following day, with input from Sidmouth Town Council.
At Jacob’s Ladder and Connaught Gardens, the seawall, promenade and the sloping banks of rocks near the sea will be maintained.
The shingle from the beach that ends up on the promenade will be put back onto the beach.
The River Sid Western Wall will be maintained until it requires replacement by a more substantial coastal standard wall.
Here are the four options being considered:
Option One
On the town beach, the existing defences will be maintained. The wall at the end of the eastern end of the beach, which directs the River Sid out to sea, will be repaired and shortened.
The amount of shingle will be replenished to ensure it is maintained, and occasionally the shingle that has moved along the beach will be put back where it came from.
A low-level rock groyne will be constructed on the east beach, to the east of the River Sid. Here, shingle will also moved back where it came from.
Option two
The rock groynes at Bedford Steps, York Steps and East Pier Rock will be modified into ‘T’ shapes.
The wall at the eastern end will be shortened and the shingle managed as in option one.
Again, a low-level rock groyne will be constructed on the east beach, to the east of the River Sid. Here, shingle will also moved back where it came from.
Option three
The rock groynes at Bedford Steps and York Steps will be modified into ‘T’ shapes.
The east pier rock groyne will be removed, as will a section of the wall at the east end of the main beach.
A slope of large boulders will be placed next to the seawall, and the shingle will be managed as above.
Again, a low-level rock groyne will be constructed on the east beach, to the east of the River Sid. Here, shingle will also moved back where it came from.
Option four
The current rock groynes on the beach will be removed and more breakwaters similar to those already in place will be constructed on the main beach and east beach.
For more information on the consultation or the BMP, email sidmoutheastbmp@eastdevon.gov.uk.
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