Steps in the right direction for Jennycliff

A much missed view of Plymouth is now open once more to beach lovers, thanks to a Council led project to rebuild the path to Jennycliff Beach.

The beach had to be placed off limits as a safety precaution after storm damage in 2014 and erosion from the high tides undermined the cliff which has the path on it.

Repairs worth £300,000 have been carried out to repair the path which has been out of action since the winter storms of 2014.

The repair work included installing rock armour at the bottom of the cliff to protect it from the waves and putting in gabions (baskets of rock) to stop the base of the cliff and new path from being undermined by the sea.

Council Leader Ian Bowyer said: “I’m so pleased that we have been able to provide the funds to get Jennycliff beach open to the public again. People have been asking us for a while what’s happening and I am pleased to say we have now completed the project so that walkers and nature lovers can enjoy this great spot. Jennycliff beach is hugely popular with residents and visitors alike  as it is just off the South West Coast Path so getting this work completed in time for the summer was extremely important.”

The rock armour and gabion baskets were designed by structural engineers Jenkins and Potter, which provided a relatively simple and cost effective solution for a repair to a difficult site.  The work was carried out by Teignmouth Maritime Services, who brought in the majority of the materials and equipment by sea. 

Hylton Calder-Potts Project Manager from TMS Maritime, a national marine contractor based in Dawlish said: “This was a complex project with difficult access and weather limitations with the added constraint of only being able to land material on the beach on high tides. I am very pleased with the commitment from the site team in working hard to deliver this project safely and successfully for our Client.”

The area is designated site of Special Scientific Interest and the shore line falls inside the Marine Special Area of Conservation. Both have been taken into consideration when designing repairs to the damage.

The work took 10 weeks to complete and the path is now open to the public once more.

Pictured left to right: Council Leader Ian Bowyer, Hylton Calder-Potts (TMS), Sandra Pentney (PCC) and Connor Speake (TMS). Photo courtesy of Plymouth City Council