Esplanade to close next month to allow vital flood defence work to take place in Exmouth

Construction of the new £12 million tidal defence scheme at Exmouth is on track to significantly reduce flooding to 1,800 properties in the Devon town.

In September there will be more activity along the sea front as work increases on The Esplanade.

For some of the work to proceed the road will need to be closed in sections between The Grove, along Morton Crescent, Alexandra Terrace Junction and past the Clock Tower up to the Premier Inn.

The following tidal defence work is being carried out along the Esplanade:

A new set back flood defence wall will be built between The Grove public house and the Premier Inn, with flood gates at various points along the Esplanade, so that flood water from waves overtopping the seawall is prevented from flowing inland and is discharged back to the sea.

Extra rock armour is being added to raise existing low spots along the seafront.

Works to improve the bottom section of the Smeaton seawall

Improvements to drainage so that water will drain back out to sea.

Contractors for the joint Environment Agency and East Devon District Council project started on site earlier this year along the estuary (Royal Avenue) and in Camperdown Creek.

Councillor Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council's portfolio holder for the Environment, said: "In the interest of public safety, as well as our contractors, we will have to close the road and use traffic lights so that we can work safely and keep the public protected.

"We are making every effort to minimise our impact on residents and visitors so we will try to keep the closure to specific sections and for the shortest possible time.

"We apologise for any disruption this causes, however, local diversion routes will be clearly marked during this period."