Survey work for Sidmouth cliff fall

It will establish the rate of erosion after Monday's collapse.

It is yet another cliff fall than has taken place in the area for which multi-million pound plans to protest have been developed but are short on funding for.

Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council member for Sidmouth (Sid Valley) & Cabinet member for Highways Management, has said that he will be using some of his locality budget to carry out a further cliff survey and has asked the contractor’s currently re-building the adjacent Alma Bridge to assist in rearranging the small section of rock revetment at Pennington Point that has been moved by the storms.

It is hoped that it will take three weeks in total for the lead-in, survey and the processing of the results to take place, with Devon County Council already discussing the requirements with a survey company.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cllr Hughes said: “The reason for calling for emergency work is because there is a risk to life for beach walkers coming from the east direction and if their only means of escape were to be compromised at Sidmouth East Beach by loss of steps to the lower section of Hangar Path.

“The large cliff fall on Monday has made the need to carry out emergency works even more urgent as what has now been exposed is very loose Triassic sandstone that will soon fall victim to more rough seas.

“I have agreed for the use of some of my locality budget to be used to carry out a further cliff survey by the County bridge engineers. This will give accurate and vital information on the rate of erosion since the last survey was carried out in 2015 and was used for location and working out lifespan for the new Alma Bridge at present being constructed.”

He added that his call for emergency work to be carried out has been supported by Simon Jupp, East Devon’s MP, Devon County Councils Bridge team/engineers, Sidmouth Town Council and the Chamber of Commerce.

Cllr Hughes added: “I have also asked our County Engineers if it would it be possible to re-use the many concrete blocks that have been used by Mac Plant in the river Sid whilst carrying out their works on the Alma Bridge to give further protection around Pennington Point area whilst the BMP is delivered.  Work on this scheme is at least 12 to 18 months away and of course at least another season of storms, and once work starts on the BMP scheme the concrete protection can be removed.

“Of course, this would require permission from Natural England but I’m sure that my suggestion for recycling these blocks would receive the support of the Town, District Councils and our local MP Simon Jupp.””

The preferred Beach Management Scheme aims to maintain the 1990’s Sidmouth Coastal Defence Scheme Standard of Service and reduce the rate of beach and cliff erosion to the east of the River Sid. The plans would not stop cliff falls but would reduce the erosion from the toe of the cliffs, which would reduce the erosion rates.

Costs for construction of the scheme are estimated at £8.9million, with around £1 million still needed to be found by the end of 2020 at the very latest.

The South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (SWRFCC) have agreed to grant the BMP £500,000 to help bridge the effective funding gap, which had stood at £1.5million.

Cllr Hughes added: “Again this highlights the need for the Beach Management Plan but that is around at least two years away from happening, so we need some emergency action to be taken now and time is of the essence with plenty of storms coming over the next few weeks

A sign saying: “Danger. Unstable Cliffs Rock Falls” is displayed by the cliffs, and an East Devon District Council spokesman said: “We are aware that there have been a number of falls of material from cliffs along the East Devon coastline. This is a normal occurrence in view of the prolonged rain that we have recently experienced.

“Although our cliffs are a key part of the scenery, which attracts visitors to the area and the wider Jurassic Coast, they do pose a very real danger and caution must be exercised when visiting them. Rockfalls and landslides are unpredictable events, occurring without warning, and can cause serious injury or death.

“Warning signs can often be found in areas managed by us, but the absence of a sign does not indicate there is no risk and you should always take care around the cliffs of East Devon, as they are all made of soft rock and pose a cliff fall danger. We therefore recommend that where possible, you enjoy the cliffs from a distance and do not climb or sit directly beneath them. The Coastguard advises that beach users stay at least the height of the cliff away. For example, if a cliff is 20 metres high, a distance of 20 metres should be kept, a comprehensive guide to staying safe around beaches and cliffs is available from the Coastguard.

“Please note that East beach in Sidmouth is closed and the steps are for emergency use only. Work on the Sidmouth and East Beach Management Plan project is ongoing.

“The project is currently at the Outline Business Case stage, which involves collating the history of coastal protection in Sidmouth, scheme details, costs, benefits and forms in a bid, which will be submitted for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Grant in Aid (FCERMGiA).”

It is still anticipated that the Spring completion of the new Alma Bridge will be achieved, with Cllr Hughes adding: “The contractor has faced some really challenging conditions with the recent storms, but they have managed extremely well. Although the weather means there are never any guarantees, we’re still anticipating the project can be completed in the Spring.”

Once the new bridge is open to the public, work will then progress with the demolition of the existing Alma Bridge.