Work begins on coastal flood defence project

A multimillion-pound project to upgrade a seafront to protect hundreds of homes at risk of coastal flooding has started.

Paignton seafront and Preston beach in Devon are getting new defences designed to protect about 350 homes and businesses from damaging easterly storms in decades to come.

The Environment Agency said its climate change models predicted larger areas of Paignton would become affected by coastal flooding over the next 50 years.

Torbay Council said it was using the upgrade of sea defences as an opportunity to redesign the town's Eastern Esplanade and integrate the sea wall into the promenade with seating and planters.

Waves battered the shoreline during the "Beast from the East" in 2018

The last big weather event that caused coastal flooding in Paignton was when Storm Emma combined with the cold winds of the "Beast from the East" in 2018.

Strong easterlies that coincide with high tides are the enemy of Paignton's low-lying waterfront area and green.

It is reclaimed land, making it vulnerable to large waves.

Tim Jones, Torbay Council's Head of Engineering, said the current defences were limited

Tim Jones, Torbay Council's head of engineering, said currently the sea defences at Paignton and Preston were "very limited".

"Typically, we get breaching, over-topping on an annual basis," he said.

The project is mostly funded by the government, with about £13.5m committed to the scheme.

The council said the investment would help protect other projects such as the Crossways development - replacing a former shopping centre with apartments.

Damaged beach huts on Preston beach during Storm Emma in March 2018.

Chris Lewis, deputy council leader and the Conservative councillor for Preston Ward, described the work as "probably the biggest project we've had in Paignton in many, many years".

"We've got maps that show the whole of this part of Paignton could be flooded and we don't want that," he said.

"You've got businesses, you've got people living there in basement flats."

The latest design released after public consultation shows the wall worked into the promenade with seating and planting.

Colin Hirst, from the Paignton Town Community Partnership, said he would still like to see a "few changes" to the design, such as keeping traditional street lighting and installing power points for paddleboarders.

"It's going to be good, but it could be better and I'd ask the council to look at that," he said.

Models show what a one-in-200-year flood event might mean for Paignton and the increased flood risk after 50 years

The council said the eastern esplanade would be transformed in three phases, while Preston Sands would be completed in one phase.

Both beaches are due to remain open throughout the work, which should take about 18 months, said the authority.