The Environment Agency will shortly start work on the construction phase of the £14 million Dawlish beach management scheme which gets underway this month.

Contractor BMMJV will carry out the construction work - the Agency and Teignbridge District Council are working together to complete the project by September.

Richard Cox, project manager for the Environment Agency said:

“We are pleased construction starts on site this month. We have invested a great deal of energy and time planning this scheme and have kept those who live and work in Dawlish and surrounding areas informed of developments. “

Key works are due to take place:

• January: establishing site compounds in Beach Road car park and around the Warren
• February, March and May: removing existing gabion stone – to be completed in two phases to avoid the Easter holiday period and allow translocation of sand lizards
• April to June: installing new timber groynes (groynes 10 to 14)
• May: starting work on the defences at the ‘neck’
• June to mid-July: dredging material from Pole Sands, pumped onshore between groyne 1 and 4
• mid-July to end of August: complete remaining beach replenishment work between groyne 4 to 14
• September: works completed

Councillor Humphrey Clemens, Teignbridge District Council’s executive portfolio holder for housing and planning, including coastal services, said:

“We are delighted work gets underway in Dawlish this month. We are committed to protecting and preserving the environment in the best way possible. Dawlish Warren is a jewel in the crown of our district but is also a fragile environment that nurtures wildlife and acts as a natural barrier against storm waves.”

The overall scheme will not only help to reduce flood risk but will also benefit the wildlife, visitors and local traders in years to come.

Significant damage suffered to groynes during the winter storms 2015/16 led to a package of emergency works being completed over spring and summer 2016. These have given a head start to the main works in 2017.