Iconic beach steps and walkway closed until 2027

Iconic beach steps and a coastal path which connects two sides of a seaside resort will both be closed until at least 2027.

There were structural defects in the white Jacob's Ladder steps in Sidmouth, according to East Devon District Council, and a large gap in a clifftop wall over the Millenium Walkway that could be a danger to people walking below.

The owner of a café at the top of the steps with magnificent views out to sea said trade had been affected by the closures.

The council has agreed to spend £500,000 on fixing the wall over the walkway and said it was looking at options to repair Jacob's Ladder steps or possibly replace the structure.

The Clock Tower café is a Grade II listed building which sits in a corner of Connaught Gardens, near the top of Jacob's Ladder.

Despite still being fully open and accessible from a different route, staff had seen a drop in customers, its boss said.

Owner Lewis Macleod said: "In May, we had a 20% reduction in footfall and 22% in April, so it's had quite a big impact on our trade already.

"So we are quite concerned that further delays are going to impact us throughout the rest of the year."

The Millenium Walkway was opened in 1999 and connects the main town beaches to Jacob's Ladder beach.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) said it was working with Sidmouth Town Council on a plan to reopen the walkway before the main work started on fixing the cobblestone wall above in Connaught Gardens.

EDDC said it wanted to "undertake further investigations to provide the best value for money solution" with work scheduled to take place in "early 2027".

Jacob's Ladder was initially constructed as a steep wooden ladder in 1853 and was replaced shortly after World War Two with the current design which is a listed building.

The council said it was "awaiting specialist advice" on structural defects to the Jacob's Ladder steps and getting cost estimates "for what is likely to be a full replacement".

John Loudoun, Independent, deputy leader of EDDC, said: "As a result of the storms of last year, the assets have degraded. We've had to look at maintaining safety for the public as our number one priority."

The chair of Sidmouth Town Council, Hilary Nelson, said: "It's just hugely unfortunate for Sidmouth that both of these events have arisen at the same time."

She said people would need to "go a bit old school" and use Peak Hill Road to access the beach and Connaught Gardens.

EDDC said the beach huts at Jacob's Ladder beach, which have been destroyed by storms, would be replaced at the end of June.

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