Works Between Seaton Hole & West Walk FURTHER UPDATE
Published 01:00 on 23 Sep 2025
23rd September 2025
Seaton Coastal Protection Work Underway After Weather Delays
Essential coastal protection work at Seaton Hole has now begun, following delays caused by adverse weather and sea conditions. The project—part of a £1.4 million improvement scheme—is a joint effort between East Devon District Council (EDDC) and South West Flood & Coastal.
Originally scheduled to start in late August, work was postponed to September due to poor weather, which made sea deliveries unsafe. The contractor, J.T. Mackley & Co Ltd, has now mobilised onsite. Setting up began in August in Seaton Jurassic Long Stay Car Park and on the beach between Seaton Hole and West Walk Promenade, with major construction work now commencing in September.
The scheme includes:
- Delivering approximately 6,500 tonnes of rock by sea (rock armour) to reinforce the base of the cliffs.
- Refurbishing or removing existing gabions (wire baskets filled with stone) next to the Check House seawall;
- Repairs to the Check House seawall itself.
Rock for the scheme will be delivered by sea, with the exact schedule dependent on weather and sea conditions. Deliveries are currently expected to commence on Tuesday 23rd September. These operations will be visible from the West Walk Promenade. Access to the beach from West Walk will be temporarily restricted to allow the rock to be safely moved to the works area.
These improvements will strengthen the coastal defences between Seaton Hole and West Walk Promenade, reducing erosion risks and shielding 41 homes, including a care home, from cliff falls and sea damage. The work is expected to be completed by November, with sections of Seaton Hole beach closed periodically for public safety. Local businesses will remain open and accessible throughout.
For any queries, please email engineers@eastdevon.gov.uk
10th September 2025
UPDATE: You may have noticed that the rock delivery to Seaton beach hasn't commenced as anticipated.
The contractor is currently experiencing delays to the rock delivery operation due to unfavourable weather. The rock arrived in the UK as scheduled but due to poor weather conditions the ship was re-directed to Falmouth. The rock has now been loaded onto the delivery barge in Falmouth and will be moved to Seaton as soon as a suitable weather window allows for safe transport and delivery.
EDDC and South West Flood and Coastal engineers will continue to monitor conditions closely and will provide further updates as soon as a revised delivery timeframe is confirmed.
For any queries, please email engineers@eastdevon.gov.uk
30th August 2025
Rock armour will be delivered by sea to the section of beach between the Chine & Seaton Hole. Its hoped this will take no longer than a week. The rock comes from Norway, offloaded onto a coaster in Falmouth which will then bring the rock (6,500 tonnes) to Seaton Bay to be transferred to a smaller barge for offloading at high water onto the beach. The Seaton Hole access pathway remains open but there will be restrictions on the works site whilst the rocks are put in place. Completion date is set for 31/10/25.
All vessels should proceed with caution if barges are seen in or near the area marked.