Annual dredging works are set to take place in West Bay and Lyme Regis during May and June 2022.
UPDATE: The following information has been corrected as of Tuesday 10 May, as the two locations have effectively been swapped. This is due to Dorset Council not wanting to impact upon the Platinum Jubilee celebrations planned in Lyme Regis.
Dredging is essential maintenance and ensures safe, navigable channels are maintained in the harbours.
Dredging will commence in West Bay from Tuesday 17 May and run until Wednesday 1 June. There will be little impact on members of the public, with only a small section of West Cliff beach closed during operations.
In Lyme Regis, works are scheduled to run from Monday 6 until Friday 24 June. Members of the public are advised to keep a safe distance away from operations as heavy plant will be operating on the beach. Banksmen will be present to advise members of the public.
The programme is heavily dependent on weather conditions and there may be some delays if we are impacted by bad weather.
Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “Our harbours are a vital resource for Dorset’s residents and businesses – as well as a major attraction for visitors – so it’s important that they are well looked after. Dredging is a key part of our maintenance programme and these works will ensure our harbours remain safe and accessible for all who use them.”
Right now when the holiday season is happening, people have booked holidays hoping to sit on the beach with the children!
We plan to re-open the majority of the sand beach this Friday (17 June) ahead of the weekend. All other beaches in Lyme Regis will remain open during the works, including the pebble section of Front Beach, Monmouth Beach, Church Cliff Beach and East Beach.
We had already revised our scheduled works at Lyme Regis to avoid disrupting the local Queen’s Jubilee celebrations during half term, but the timing of the harbour dredging is dependent on the availability of the contractor. We also try to carry out the works as late as possible as this gives us a better weather window. This lowers the risk of works being delayed, which can lead to people being inconvenienced for longer and the Council incurring time-related costs.
Is the beach back to normal now at Lyme Regis?
All dredging work for this year has now been completed.
Update of the dredging of the sands at Lyme Regis please
Dredging work has now been completed.