Dawlish News

Dawlish Action Group DARE and Dawlish Warren Tourism Group (DWT) jointly hosted a presentation at the Mount Pleasant Inn on Friday, 14 March 2008, on the subject of Coastal Management, particularly in relation to Dawlish Warren itself. Representatives from these groups, including John Wilkinson, Chair of DARE and Simon Broom, Chair of DWT, have attended recent events involving Exe Estuary Management and the Shoreline Management Plan for South Devon and Dorset, which is led by Teignbridge District Council. The purpose of the meeting was to enable both DARE and DWT to make informed comments to Exe Estuary Management and Shoreline Management Plan Public Consultations. The results of these studies will determine polices set out by DEFRA and will shape the future of this section of coast line for the next 100 years. Both groups have a particular interest in the future protection of Dawlish Warren which is of vital importance to the local tourist economy and which is linked to the prosperity of Dawlish itself. The talk was well attended and the audience included Cllrs. Mugford, Hockin, Bloomfield, Clatworthy and Cllr Protheroe who kindly provided the venue.

The guest speaker was Mr Oscar Addyman, a retired Chartered Civil Engineer who was invited to Dawlish Warren in view of his long experience in coastal protection and management and in particular his involvement in the installation of the Coastal Defences at the Warren some 37 years ago. He spoke of the design of groynes and gabions and of planting schemes, all of which were designed to prevent the loss of sand and indeed to enhance the beaches in favourable wind and tide conditions. The project was based on precise modelling and on research carried out at the Wallingford Research Department at Oxford. At that time the work was undertaken by the Devon Rivers Authority where Mr Addyman was Deputy Chief Engineer. It is now the responsibility of the Environment Agency. He suggested that similar, but modified and carefully maintained structures, perhaps using modern materials, could potentially bring about the replacement of sand lost in recent times. A very informative talk was followed by an animated question and answers session involving all sections of the audience including local Councillors. There was also the opportunity to speak to Mr Addyman individually and view fascinating pictorial evidence of the Warren in years past.

Cllr. Clatworthy, in view of his position as County Council representative and his involvement in the Climate Change Task Group will speak further with Mr Addyman. DARE further understands that a representative from the Environment Agency will also speak with Mr Addyman in the near future and we trust that their combined knowledge and experience will lead to a long term plan to protect and manage the sea defences at the much loved Warren for the benefit of residents, traders and visitors alike.