East Devon District Council has mobilized a sea defense project to protect the seafront at Exmouth, where recent inspections showed emergency repairs were needed, WM Plant Hire said in their latest release.
Structural sheet piling and rock armor were chosen as the preferred option to protect the existing sea wall from erosion.
Kier has been appointed as principal contractor and the specialist works to be carried out by local contractor TMS Maritime.
Long reach excavator specialists – WM Plant Hire – supplied a 60 tonne long reach to excavate along the pile line and then the larger CAT 385 fitted with a heavy duty hydraulic rock grab for the rock armor placement.
The rock installation was completed the day before Storm Callum swept in and flooded the seafront at Exmouth.
“Final works and inspections undertaken in October have proven this critical piece of civil engineering played a major part in protecting the coastline here,” WM Plant Hire said.
Works on a large flood defense scheme for Exmouth and the Exe Estuary are due to begin in 2019.