Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Work may affect access to ‘Broadchurch beach’
FLOOD defence work could have an impact on the tourist season at a Dorset beach that has benefited from the ‘Broadchurch effect’ in recent years.
West Bay provided the backdrop for the popular ITV police drama and has seen an influx of tourists keen to see its beauty for themselves.
Tourism bodies in the county have previously said thousands of extra visitors came to the area to follow in the footsteps of Hollywood star Olivia Colman and David Tennant.
However, visitors may face some difficulties this year with massive coastal improvement and flood defence works set to begin.
Although beach access will be maintained where possible, West Dorset councillors were warned there could be times when access to the sea will not be allowed on safety grounds.
The councillors have been told that the works, due to start in March, could extend into the main tourist season, depending on any problems found or poor weather.
The committee gave approval to the proposals at Thursday’s local planning committee in Dorchester – delegating the details to officers.
It will see repairs and strengthening to the western groyne at West Beach, the construction of a new stub groyne and raising the height of the promenade wall to the northern side of the road. Extra material will also be brought in to ‘bulk up’ the beach.
At East Beach, the works will add rock protection to the beach bund and construct a new timber boardwalk.
Extra protection measures will be built along the existing embankment at the Parkdean caravan park, including a steel-sheet piled wall on the landward side of the existing embankment. That work will be carried out later in the year, out of season.
The Environment Agency says its works will help prevent disruption caused by periods of extended bad weather, such as those experienced in the winter storms of 2013/14 and 2015/16.
Symondsbury Parish Council, which had objected to the new defence work until more was understood about the process of moving pebbles and shingles along the Chesil Beach, withdrew its application before the committee met.
A report to the committee acknowledges that the works will change the appearance of both the East and West Beaches.
West Bay Community Forum welcomes the proposed works but says it is concerned about noise, dust and disturbance and asks for the works to be carried out ‘ within reasonable limits.’
Much of the large materials needed for the scheme will be brought in by sea to reduce heavy vehicle congestion on the area’s roads.
Cllr Stella Jones suggested that signs should be put up on the main roads approaching the area to warn of major works and possible congestion at West Bay.