Second phase of Exmouth sea wall repairs complete

Chloe Parkman
BBC News, South West
BBC Steel piling have been put in place on the sea wall as part of phase one of the project. The large steel piling sits below the Mickey's Restaurant establishment which overlooks Exmouth beach. Two people are walking along the sand. A dog is at their heels.BBC
Permanent repairs were made in front of the Sideshore development as part of phase one of the project

The second phase of urgent repair work to Exmouth's sea wall has been completed, a council has said.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) said the "critical phase" of the project involved installing 150m (490ft) of steel sheet piling, extending the defences from the phase one works at the Sideshore Development to the old lifeboat slipway.

It said the combined cost of phase one, completed in 2024, and phase two was £3m, funded by the government and EDDC.

Geoff Jung, council portfolio holder for the environment – operational, said it was vital the emergency works were carried out "urgently".

Closures lifted

The council said the improvements would strengthen the seawall against storm damage and coast erosion, providing vital protection for local homes, businesses, and essential seafront infrastructure.

Jung said phase one and two works were timed to take place during the winter months in a bid to "reduce the inconvenience to the absolute minimum".

The council said the promenade path, seafront cycle lane and Queen's Drive had all reopened following the works, adding heavy machinery had been removed from the site.

It said temporary safety fencing would remain in place around grassed areas until new seed had taken root.

It added that phase three, residents' and businesses' feedback would play a "vital role in shaping the final appearance of the seawall".

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