Concerns about the works – currently and for the future.
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For some time now, reporters, councillors and residents have been monitoring SWW’s work at the Ham. Here the VGS attempts to keep up with how the works are developing.
SWW WORKS:
Last December, South West Water resumed its work on the Ham (the area next to the mouth of the River Sid) to increase the size of its “storm storage tank” – as covered in its page on its Sidmouth Sewer Improvement Scheme.
Local photographers High Peak Photography provided drone footage of the site on 4 February 2026 on YouTube:
At the same time, Sidmouth Town Councillor Chris Lockyear gave a very useful explanation of what’s happening in his piece in the Herald – and how the sewerage system works in Sidmouth.
Since December, there has not been much said publicly about the works – apart from two press releases reported in the Herald: South West Water £3.2 billion investment starting to deliver (at the end of January) and New public art exhibition bringing colour to Sidmouth (mid February).
Meanwhile, Councillors and ‘stakeholders’ have been provided with some information on the current state of works at the Ham through regular letters and documentation. This includes The Ham Sidmouth WaterFit Programme – Weekly Progress Reports from the Customer Liaison Officer at Network Plus and correspondence from the Stakeholder Relations Lead at South West Water.
LOCAL CONCERNS:
In parallel to the official stance, we understand that there have been concerns from some residents at Glenisla Terrace, which immediately overlooks the Ham, that properties could have incurred physical damage due to exploratory works. It has been reported that vibrations shook the foundations and floors of local houses and buildings which brought these works to a halt.
It is also understood that residents and owners of nearby buildings then raised their concerns with Network Plus and SWW – and a meeting was called which provided the opportunity for further assessment of both the design and implementation of the project. This followed on from an earlier extended assessment of where and how the works could safely and effectively be carried out, following on from the delays last year.
The VGS understands that the Site Manager has been helpful in keeping both local people and passers-by informed of the works taking place at the Ham.
One resident has informed us from such a conversation that “the rock bed under the present dig site has proved resistant, at four to five feet thick solid rock, to the planned works: the piling of the larson sheets (metal planks) into the ground has had to halt leaving seven metres further for the larson sheets to be hammered into the ground, which was not part of the plan.”
It is understood that this reference to “not part of the plan” relates to the drilling (auguring) and piling (pushing) of the larson sheets (metal planks) – all of which had been carried out in order to prepare the ground to avoid a repeat of vibrations which shook the foundations of the houses and local area during the exploratory works.
Furthermore, according to the VGS source, “the present undisclosed plan to now to hammer up to 40 larson sheets seven metres into the ground with four to five feet of solid rock leaves great concern which SWW and their contractors leave unaddressed.”
Finally, it is understood that “the present undisclosed plan” refers to the information already given to the public from the Site Manager, following contractor meetings as to how they plan to deal with the resistance they have met from piling (pushing) the larson sheets into the ground, not being able to push them to the depth they have planned. The plan is now to ‘hammer’ the extensive number of larson sheets into the ground to the depth planned.
As the VGS source concludes: “This raises concerns on a far greater scale, of the shaking of the foundations of local houses and area, and its potential consequences, than were caused from the exploratory works which were minor compared to the main works. This has not been formally owned by the contractors or communicated to local residents as stakeholders and raises concerns about an approach that says ‘the work needs to be done’ and concerns that is at the expense of local properties.”
THE FUTURE:
Returning to official sources, the Customer Liaison Officer at Network Plus has said that noise and vibration will be strictly monitored – and that they will continue to provide their weekly report on noise and vibration monitoring, which is shared with STC and EDDC and is available for residents. And following on from the above comment, this appears to be generally happening (although not perfectly), as does their reassurance that they will make efforts to minimise noise from the works.
It is understood that SWW are monitoring both vibration and sound in three different locations: near the bridge, near the swimming pool and near the row of houses opposite the Ham. During the piling work, noise could indeed be heard and vibrations in houses could be felt from some distance in Sidmouth – although independent measurements suggest nothing untoward.
Furthermore, it is understood that SWW do carry out surveys of nearby buildings to check for any cracks or disturbance; and of course, they will be covered by insurance should there be any claims made by residents and businesses – although nobody would want matters to come to that.
Network Plus have also insisted that the Ham will reopen in time for the Folk Festival in August, although the schedule is very tight. And back in December, SWW reassured the Town Council that the Sidmouth Folk Festival will ‘not be affected’ by the sewage works upgrade.
However, since then, fears have been independently expressed that SWW are behind schedule – which might interfere in preparations for the Folk Festival in July. And yet we understand there have been reassurances that, if the works are delayed, these will be suspended and that the Ham will be properly reinstated in order for the Folk Festival to go ahead as planned.
Finally, then, we will all be watching how the works continue; certainly the weather has not helped with the amount of rain hampering progress. But SWW will have to deliver and deliver well.
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