Work to start on Exmouth Beach sink hole

Work starts on the Exmouth Beach sink hole tomorrow (Friday 28 August) as contractors working on behalf of South West Water start digging down under the sand to a pipe which has possibly been blocked.

Over the last two months, the hole which measured around two metres, has opened up on a number of occasions on the beach near Orcombe Point. It usually happened after heavy rain.

Following a tip off from a member of the public, East Devon District Council engineers discovered a South West Water pipe deep under the sand and the contractors hope to be able to reach the pipe tomorrow and resolve the problem.

The beach is very popular with dog walkers and bathers who are being advised to avoid the cordoned off area where the excavation work will be carried out tomorrow.

Nick Christo, East Devon District Council’s StreetScene Area Manager West, said: “We are working with the tides, so digging will start as early as possible in the morning. We’re very confident we can resolve this problem and open up that area of the beach again for everyone to enjoy.”