I have made available further funding from my County Council locality budget to carry out a cliff survey around Pennington Point East Beach Sidmouth.
This will establish the erosion rate and an indication on how much time is left before the Hangar footpath leading to the new Alma Bridge is compromised.
The cost benefit figures calculated for the new bridge were based on the Beach Management Plan delivery commencing later this year, however the possible 4 year time delay now agreed by the East Devon BMP Steering Committee doesn’t bode well for maintained access to the bridge with possibility of further winter storms.
I have made the case for footpath realignment contingency plans to be bought forward but Covid issues are at present taking priority.