Sea wall repairs to cost more than £1m

Emergency repairs were carried out at Exmouth after the October storm

Emergency works on a crumbling sea wall are expected to cost more than £1m.

The wall at Exmouth first showed signs of cracks in August and East Devon District Council ordered investigative work to be carried out.

However a storm in late October caused the wall to crack putting it at serious risk of collapse.

Councillors will meet on Wednesday to discuss the approval of a £1.1m budget for immediate repairs that could also provide a permanent solution.

Cracks have appeared in the sea wall at Exmouth

The report to be considered by the council's cabinet states: "Given the location of the failed and failing wall, it is not an option to do nothing and allow the sea to erode the seafront further."

The report said the initial emergency works consisted of concrete blocks placed at the base of the wall, and lots of sand being placed on the wall to keep it intact.

The next stage, recommended by council officers, is to build a "steel sheet pile wall" in front of the sea wall to provide greater protection.

If approved, work could start in January and is expected to take about eight weeks to complete.