Following a successful trial in Beer and Seaton, beaches in Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton will now benefit from accessibility matting.  

A scheme designed to improve beach access for residents and visitors with mobility issues has been extended by East Devon District Council (EDDC).

Following successful trials at Seaton and Beer beaches over the last three summers. It's now a permanent feature all year round in Beer, and has been extended to the rest of Seaton beach.

The council’s StreetScene team has installed the new track matting at the eastern end of Seaton beach, Sidmouth Town beach and Budleigh Salterton beach.

The track matting creates a smooth path across the pebbles, making it easier for mobility scooter, wheelchair and pushchair users, and those who are unsteady on their feet, to access the beach.

Each beach has approximately 200 square metres of modular matting, which is made partly from recycled material.

The layouts vary at each location depending on user needs, the shape of the beach and the size of the flat area available.

The matting will remain in place until late September, before it is safely stored through the winter and returned next May.

The project is funded by: EDDC, Budleigh Town Council, Sidmouth Town Council, East Devon National Landscape Access for All Fund and EDDC's sustainable tourism programme (via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund).

The project is aligned with EDDC's Tourism Strategy which encourages growth through a commitment to quality, sustainability, accessibility and collaboration.

As a core value of the strategy, accessibility supports developments in East Devon’s tourism offer, by providing the same quality experience to visitors of all abilities and enabling everyone to enjoy the area’s outstanding natural environment.

Councillor Nick Hookway, portfolio holder for culture, leisure, sport and tourism, East Devon District Council, said: “I'm delighted to see that the beach track matting accessibility project is now being expanded. It is absolutely essential that every visitor to our seaside towns has the ability to enjoy a day on the beach”.