BBC DEVON

Tonnes of rock to protect crumbling east Devon coastline

Miles Davis September 24, 2025

Miles DavisDevon political reporter

Miles Davis/BBC The cliffs at Seaton Hole with shrubs coming from halfway up the cliffs down to the sea shore — Thousands of tonnes of rocks are being used to protect the coast at Seaton Hole

Thousands of tonnes of rock are being delivered by sea to protect crumbling cliffs.

About 6,500 tonnes of rock are being brought by barge to Seaton beach on the south coast of Devon, East Devon District Council (EDDC) has said.

It said the rock armour would be used to reinforce the base of the cliffs at Seaton Hole where there have been repeated landslides.

Some areas of the beach remain closed and the public advised to stay away for safety reasons.

Rocks are being brought ashore by barge at Seaton

East Devon District Council A blue and white ship is on the left with piles of rocks on a barge next to it. There are also two pieces of plant machinery on the front of the barge. You can see the sea and the shore against a clear crepuscular sky. — Rocks are being brought ashore by barge at Seaton

The work was originally due to be carried out in August but was postponed to September because of bad weather.

The project includes refurbishing or removing the existing wire baskets filled with stone and repairs to the seawall.

The project is part of a £1.4m coastal protection scheme jointly managed by EDDC and South West Flood and Coastal – the coastal protection organisation which brings local authorities together.

The area of coast at Seaton Hole has suffered several landslides

Miles Davis/BBC A sign warning people to stay away from cliffs on the right next to a lifebuoy and the beach and sea in the background — The area of coast at Seaton Hole has suffered several landslides

EDDC said access to the beach from West Walk would be temporarily restricted to allow the rocks to be moved to the works area.

The council said the work would strengthen coastal defences between Seaton Hole and West Walk – helping to protect 41 properties, including a care home, from cliff falls and sea damage.

Geoff Jung, portfolio holder for environment at EDDC, said the work was “an important step in protecting our coastline, homes, and community” and asked people to keep a “safe distance away” from the site.

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