Phase two of Exmouth seawall repairs to begin

A further 150 metres of seawall will be secured with a steel sheet pile wall through the second phase of repairs to Exmouth’s sea defences.

A further 150 metres of seawall will be secured with a steel sheet pile wall through the second phase of repairs to Exmouth’s sea defences.

Site set up for the second phase began on Wednesday 20 November 2024, with the seawall repair work scheduled to begin on Monday 25 November 2024. The second phase is expected to be completed in spring 2025. The aim is for the area to be fully reopened before the Easter holidays.

Exmouth’s seawalls are actively monitored by EDDC, and when a section of the wall showed signs of failure in October 2023, the council took emergency temporary measures to prevent more serious damage. Thousands of tons of sand were transferred, and large concrete blocks put in place, successfully absorbing the energy of waves throughout last year’s winter storms.

The first phase of seawall repairs began in March 2024. This involved the installation of a replacement steel sheet piling wall covering the 100 metres in front of Sideshore. These permanent repairs aim to strengthen this vulnerable section of the seawall for the next 100 years.

The pavement, and one lane of the road on Queens Drive, will be closed for the second phase of repairs to Exmouth's seawall, with temporary traffic management planned, from Monday 25 November 2024. Access to the beach from the slipway, next to Harbour View café, will remain open (but subject to temporary closures). Cordons on the beach, and marshals, will keep visitors a safe distance away from the construction work. If you're walking your dog in this area, please keep them under control, and use a lead if necessary. 

Phase two is projected to cost £1.627million of the estimated full project cost of £3.312million. East Devon District Council (EDDC) has allocated £1.5million to the work, with £1.72million of additional funding from central government.

The steel sheet pile wall will be installed through the ground, in line with the failing wall, to the bedrock, by EDDC’s contractor Teignmouth Maritime Services ltd (TMS). TMS engineers were responsible for the first phase, and they successfully bid for the second phase.

A consultation about the final appearance of the new wall, with options including cladding, is expected to take place in Spring 2025. Consultation feedback will help inform the third (and final) phase of the seawall project.

Councillor Geoff Jung, EDDC’s Portfolio Holder for Coast, Country, and Environment, said:

“I’m delighted that the project will shortly be entering its second phase. Protecting coastal communities, and infrastructure, along our seaside towns, like Exmouth, from the risk of increasingly frequent, more severe storms, is a key priority for this council.”

“I would like to apologise to local businesses, visitors, and residents, for any inconvenience during these emergency works, whilst this vital construction work is ongoing.”