A fundraising campaign is being launched for Sidmouth’s Chit Rocks beach access ramp.

The Chit Rocks Beach Access for All project is aimed at wheelchair users, people with mobility problems and those with young children in pushchairs, who would not otherwise be able to get on to the sandy beach at the western end of Sidmouth seafront.

The initiative was started in 2020 but was held up by the Covid pandemic; however, it’s now been revived and the organisers hope construction can begin next year.

But that will depend on them raising the cost of building the ramp, estimated at around £250,000.  The price is high because t’s going to be an expensive and complex operation, with part of the construction taking place in the tidal zone, and some of the rock armour may also need to be removed and then replaced around the finished structure.

The team behind the Chit Rocks Beach Access for All project will be at Sidmouth Sea Fest this Saturday, May 18, to give information, answer questions from the public and promote the fundraising campaign. A crowdfunder with a target of £100,000 has been launched on gofundme.com. 

Dave Rafferty, chair of the newly formed steering committee, said: “It’s so important for everyone in Sidmouth and the visitors we welcome to have equality of access to our wonderful natural resources.”