East Devon District Council is urging residents and visitors to put their safety first and strictly follow path closures currently in place along Sidmouth seafront, as essential cliff works continue.
East Devon District Council is urging residents and visitors to put their safety first and strictly follow path closures currently in place along Sidmouth seafront, as essential cliff works continue.
A recent cliff inspection identified a large crack in a wall structure above the Millennium Walkway. The cobblestone wall has had a crack behind it for some time, however professional geotechnical engineers have advised that it has opened up in the last 12 months. The path below has been closed to protect the public from the risk of any failure or falls while the council investigates potential remedial action.
The undercliff / Millennium Walkway remains closed from Jacob’s Ladder to the beach access steps near the offshore breakwaters until further notice. In addition, a section of the cliff‑top path within Connaught Gardens, near the Glasshouse, is also closed for safety reasons.
These closures follow a period of increased cliff instability along the Jurassic Coast, where numerous cliff falls have taken place in recent months and years. The coastline is naturally erosion‑prone and can become extremely hazardous without warning. Even seemingly stable areas can give way suddenly. Typically, we experience the worst cliff falls following periods of extreme weather. A very wet winter, now into a dry period could cause cliff falls over the next few months.
To protect the public from the risk of falling debris and unstable ground, the council is reminding everyone that entering closed areas is dangerous. People are asked to heed all safety signage, respect fencing and barriers, and avoid attempting to bypass closures.
Alternative routes to West Beach
Visitors can still reach West Beach safely by using the alternative diversion route:
Esplanade → Peak Hill Road → West Beach
Cllr Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Environment Operations, said:
"Public safety has to come first. We know how frustrating these closures can be, but the risks along this stretch of the Jurassic Coast are very real. We’ve seen many cliff falls in recent months and years, and even areas that look stable can give way without warning. Please follow the signage, stick to the safe routes, and help us keep everyone out of harm’s way while we work quickly to assess the situation.”
The council thanks the public for their patience while this important safety work is undertaken and will provide updates as soon as possible.
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