Steel wall to be extended to protect sea wall

Work on the second phase of a steel wall along the seafront of a Devon resort has begun.

Steel sheets are being put in place in Exmouth to protect the town's crumbling sea wall in a £3.3m scheme.

The first phase of the work to replace 90m (295ft) of the wall in front of the Sideshore development began in March, while the second phase has begun to tackle a 150m (490ft) section of wall up to the Harbour View cafe.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) said it wanted to complete the work before Easter 2025.

The council said the repairs were designed "to strengthen this vulnerable section of the sea wall for the next 100 years".

The pavement on the beach side of Queen's Drive and one lane of the road are being closed while the work is carried out.

EDDC said the beach would remain open with cordons keeping the public a safe distance away from construction work.

A consultation about the final appearance of the new wall, with options including cladding, is expected to take place in spring 2025.

Cracks in the sea wall appeared in August 2023.

Geoff Jung, the cabinet member for the environment at East Devon District Council, said the work was necessary to protect the town.

He said: "Because the sea wall was built without any foundations some 100 years ago, we've now found the sand levels have reduced, undermining the sea wall."

Jung said if the steel wall was not put in, the sea would "degrade the road", with "flooding affecting buildings on the sea front".

A public meeting is being held from 14:00 GMT to 19:00 on Tuesday at Exmouth Town Hall for people to have their say on wider beach management plans for the town.

Sandra and Kevin Bowden, who were out walking their dog on Exmouth beach, said they would like to see the steel pilings covered with stone similar to that seen elsewhere along the beach.

Mr Bowden said: "It's a bit unattractive at the moment, but I think it would be nice if they carried the stone through so it matches with the rest of the sea wall."

Mrs Bowden said: "It doesn't have to match but, aesthetically, it needs to look not quite so industrial."

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