The option preferred by the authorities for stopping further erosion of the beach at Sidmouth involves heightening the seawall – although another option might not need this drastic step:
Sidmouth Beach Management Plan: Offshore islands would reduce the need to raise the splash wall
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And in fact, back in the autumn, there was real disquiet at plans to block out the sea:
Raising the splash wall on Sidmouth’s Esplanade ‘would be ghastly’
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In response, the council has come up with a less obtrusive ‘barrier’:
Beach Management Plan: “a splash barrier could actually enhance the seafront”
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And as reported widely in the press, a trial will happen as of Monday 20th January:
Glass sea defences to be tested as beach management plan work continues | Sidmouth Herald
UK first as glass ‘sea wall’ to be trialled in Sidmouth – Devon Live
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This is the council’s own press release: