Sidmouth beach accessibility scheme extended

Track matting has been installed at Sidmouth Town Beach

A scheme to improve beach access in part of Devon for people with mobility issues has been extended.

East Devon District Council has been trialling track matting, which creates a smooth path across pebbles, which would allow mobility scooters, wheelchair users, pushchair users and those who are unsteady on their feet beach access.

The scheme has been trialled at Seaton and Beer's beaches over the last three summers.

The council's StreetScene team said it was installing additional track matting at the eastern end of Seaton Beach, plus matting at Sidmouth Town Beach and Budleigh Salterton Beach.

Each beach had approximately 200 sq-m (240 sq-yards) of track matting made partly from recycled materials, the council said.

The layouts varied depending on user needs, the shape and size of the beach and the size of flat area available, it added.

The matting is due to remain in place until late September before being stored away for the winter and returning in May.

The project has been funded by East Devon District Council, Budleigh Town Council, Sidmouth Town Council, East Devon National Landscape Access for All Fund and East Devon District Council’s Sustainable Tourism Programme via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Nick Hookway, council portfolio holder for culture, leisure, sport and tourism, said: "I'm delighted to see that the beach track matting accessibility project is now being expanded.

"It is absolutely essential that every visitor to our seaside towns has the ability to enjoy a day on the beach."