Work on the new sea defence wall along West Bay Esplanade will begin again on Monday. (2/9)
Both beaches and the resort remain open, only the Esplanade beyond the pier is affected.
The sea defence wall was built earlier this summer, but stone masons will now return to complete the facing of the new wall, which will greatly improve its appearance.
The Esplanade will be closed while this finishing off work is done. This work was put on hold during the peak holiday season to minimise disruption and allow residents and visitors to enjoy West Bay.
Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Environment, Highways and Travel, said:
“I am glad we are returning to complete this work, it will greatly improve the Esplanade. We paused the work to minimise disruption during the peak holiday season, but will now get started again.”
The £10million sea defence work, which was carried out earlier this year by Dorset Council and the Environment Agency, will help protect West Bay from flooding.
The project means 148 homes and 112 businesses are now better protected from flooding. The beaches were re-opened in time for the school holidays after round-the-clock working.
The scheme included building a new wall, rock groyne, buried rock revetment and the beach shingle was also replenished. The work had to be done in the spring to avoid winter storms.
Thank you to residents and businesses for bearing with us during the works. Find out more
I have heard many comments about the “orange brick beach” It’s an improvement on what it was, but very hard looking.
How did that cost £10 million?
I hope they got at least 3 quotes for it
I’ve just watched a report on TV about the Greenland ice sheet which is melting at an increasing rate as the climate swings out of control. If we don’t get our act together and take climate change seriously this expensive sea wall will only buy West Bay a bit more time before the rising sea levels mean that ultimately the place will have to be abandoned. Just saying.