Repair works to Teignmouth sea wall start next week

Work to reduce the flood risk to over 400 properties in Teignmouth from flooding will get underway this month.

Teignbridge District Council is working to ensure that people, homes and businesses are protected from flooding by carrying out essential repairs and renewal to the sea defence structure at The Point.

Defence works will involve inserting 230m of steel sheet piles in front of the toe of the existing sea wall from the iconic lighthouse to the Point with a new concrete capping beam and slab helping to strengthen the wall.

This will help preserve the integrity of the sea wall for another 75 years and will continue to protect over 400 homes and businesses in the lower lying area of the town.

Work is due to start on 27 February and will finish before the end of June. Construction will be carried out by local firm Teignmouth Maritime Services Ltd.

Teignbridge and Teignmouth Maritime Services Ltd will minimise disruption to residents and visitors by co-ordinating works so it avoids busy holiday periods and restrict the hours of work to avoid noise disturbance. Working hours will take into consideration the tide and weather conditions.

The works will mean that parts of The Point car park will be used for stockpiling materials and onsite facilities. Signs are being put in the car park to let people know what’s happening and nearest parking alternatives are at Brunswick Street and The Quay. More details are at www.teignbridge.gov.uk/parking

The £1.3million cost of the project is being funded by the Government through the flood defence grant in aid administered by the Environment Agency.

Teignbridge District Council’s executive member for coastal services, Cllr Humphrey Clemens, said:

“This work is really important and will help reduce the flood risk to homes and businesses. The existing structure nearest the sea has weathered many a stormy battering and is coming to the end of its useful life.

“We’re delighted to have appointed Teignmouth Maritime Services, a local firm with strong connections to Teignmouth. It’s also a great opportunity to support ICE’s ‘this is civil engineering’ campaign and promote the skills to any aspiring engineers out there while showing the positive impact civil engineering has on our lives and the economy.

“We’re mindful that there may be some disruption and have timetabled the work to take place ahead of peak summer season.”

Martin Davies from the Environment Agency said:

“We are pleased to support this important project to improve the resilience of The Point car park. It is an important asset for the town that also helps to reduce the impact of flooding from waves during storms.”

The scheme is also being used as part of the Institute of Civil Engineering’s #thisiscivilengineering campaign, something that is designed to showcase civil engineering, highlight the benefits of projects like this and explain how the skills involved help power our lives.

Since the campaign was first launched in 2012, over 100 projects and over 100 partner organisations have joined raising their ‘This is Civil Engineering’ banners and celebrating the vital role civil engineering plays in society.

Miranda Housden, Director ICE South West, said:

“‘This is Civil Engineering’ promotes the contribution of civil engineering to society and we are proud to be displaying the banner at prominent sites within our region. The campaign helps us to highlight the variety and importance of civil engineering to the general public.

“We are delighted that we will have a banner on display at Teignmouth. This project will show how important civil engineering is in protecting seaside communities from the elements.”

Cllr Sylvia Russell, Teignbridge District Council’s executive member for health and wellbeing and ward member for Teignmouth East, said: “This additional flood protection is vital and very timely in view of the increasing severity of recent storms. The Environment Agency and Teignbridge recognise that Teignmouth is vulnerable around the Point and it is clear that the proposed defences are designed to strengthen the sea wall for the long term.”

Banners will be displayed at the site and people will be encouraged to share photos on Twitter with the hashtag #thisiscivilengineering. The project will also be featured on ICE’s website.