Resurfaced path in front of Sideshore, with the beach to the right and blue sky above

Phase one of Exmouth’s seawall repairs complete

102 metres of failed seawall in Exmouth has been replaced with a steel sheet pile wall, expected to last 100 years, through the £1.5million first phase.

This section of the seawall in front of Sideshore is where beach levels had dropped below the foundations, causing it to tilt forward and crack. The new steel piling goes much deeper, down to the bed rock some 9 metres below.

The first phase was completed on Wednesday 24 July 2024, by the council’s contractor, Teignmouth Maritime Services Ltd. The project was delayed by Storm Kathleen in early April. Extensive additional damage along the seafront posed a safety risk, also requiring the demolition of the National Coastguard Institute’s training hut.

Councillor Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) portfolio holder for Coast, Country, and Environment, said: “Thanks to our engineers and contractors who reacted quicklyto the initial reports of damage to Exmouth’s seawall last year, preventing even more serious damage.”

“Over the last four months, including Saturdays, contractors worked hard to get the important first phase finished as quickly as possible.”

“I would also like to thank local businesses and our regular beach users for their patience during this vital construction work.”

EDDC allocated £1.5million to the overall seawall project, with £1.72million of additional funding from central government. A further 150 metres of vulnerable seawall will be secured with a steel sheet pile wall in the second phase of repairs, which was agreed by EDDC’s cabinet on Wednesday, 5 June 2024. On-site work is scheduled for late September, meaning that beach users will not be disrupted during the busy summer season.

Residents will be consulted on the appearance of the seawall, such as cladding, in the third and final phase. Due to the drop down in beach levels, railings are required along the new section of seawall to meet current safety regulations. There are no plans or requirements to fit railings to any of the existing sections of the seawall.