23rd July 2009: "DCC supports the ‘hold the line’ policy option for continued investment in maintaining existing coastal defences to prevent flooding and erosion, and to leave undeveloped and open coast to evolve naturally."

The County Council has been looking at what to do about Alma Bridge for years...
Futures Forum: 24th April 2011: 'Popular Alma Bridge, a gateway to Salcombe Hill for a quarter of a million residents and visitors every year, is just 24 months and eight metres away from being lost forever, campaigning cliff-top residents fear'

As has the District Council:
Futures Forum: 28th January 2003: "EDDC is proposing a coast protection scheme aimed at reducing the rate of cliff erosion at Pennington Point. The scheme would protect the properties located at the top of Salcombe Hill and the Alma Bridge."

This is the latest from Sidmouth Town's County Councillor Stuart Hughes:

‘All options open’ for the future of Alma Bridge

11:02 09 October 2015

Alma Bridge. Ref shs 8760-10-15SH. Picture: Simon Horn

A vital footway across the River Sid may have to close if cliff erosion in the area worsens, according to County Hall.

Ama Bridge, which serves as an important link for residents living east of the River Sid, was damaged in 2012 and replaced by a temporary scaffold structure.

Devon County Council ultimately plans to rebuild the bridge further upstream, but this week said it was considering ‘a number of options’ in case the existing crossing becomes unsafe.

The authority is now preparing to undertake survey work in the area around the crossing to explore erosion of the nearby cliffs.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, DCC’s cabinet member for highways and flood prevention, said: “DCC is continuing to monitor the area around Alma Bridge to ensure that the structure continues to be safe to use and the additional survey work will help determine when the bridge may eventually have to close.

“The county council remains committed to maintaining a link to the coast path and I’m encouraged to see that options are being explored.

“It is important that we work with all organisations to provide a safe, long-term river crossing, and any planned investment has to be sustainable for the long term as well as being a good use of taxpayers’ money.”

‘All options open’ for the future of Alma Bridge - News - Sidmouth Herald

To what extent Natural England can be blamed for any delay back in April this year:
Quango criticised for blocking Alma Bridge plans - News - Sidmouth Herald

The Vision Group itself has sounded out opinion on 'what to do' about the whole eastern end of the esplanade:

Sidmouth residents' ideas for Port Royal

Di Bowerman, Sidmouth Herald

Nightmare scenario - Port Royal as a giant car park?

Sidmouth residents’ ideas for Port Royal regeneration

Diana Bowerman , Chief Reporter Wednesday, July 7, 2010

SIDMOUTH’S Port Royal area could provide protection for Alma Bridge, Salcombe Cliffs and help flooding issues if a jetty, pier, harbour or marina were built there.

With 26 of 60 responses to a public consultation over how to re-develop the area in favour of one or other of these, only the restriction or relocation of car parks gained more support.

The ideas have certainly provided food for thought for members of the Vision Group for Sidmouth who organised the consultation at Sidmouth Library.

Vision Group for Sidmouth - Sidmouth residents' ideas for Port Royal

And a year before that consultation, the County Council had stated its determination to 'hold the line ... for continued investment in maintaining existing coastal defences' to protect Alma Bridge:

July 23, 2009

Sidmouth Herald: “Sidmouth councillor backs DCC welcome to revised shoreline management plan”

A CAUTIOUS welcome has been given to the revised South Devon and Dorset Shoreline Management plan by Devon County Council. 

The revised plan updates the original SMP, first published in 1998, which sets out how the coastline and coastal risks should be managed from Plymouth to Durlston Head near Swanage over the next 20, 50 and 100 years. 

Consultations on the plan, prepared for South Devon and Dorset Coastal Advisory Group, end today (Friday, July 24). 

DCC supports the ‘hold the line’ policy option for continued investment in maintaining existing coastal defences to prevent flooding and erosion, and to leave undeveloped and open coast to evolve naturally. 

Objections were raised to the policy of ‘managed realignment’, with concerns over the potential threat to Alma Bridge and the eastern part of Sidmouth, caused by a receding coastline, the impact on Seaton Tramway, and how a significant increase in tidal surge could affect Axmouth Bridge. 

County is calling for further discussion and potential alternative solutions to be considered. 

Sidmouth/Sidford County Councillor Stuart Hughes, DCC’s cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: “This is the first opportunity we’ve had to address any anomalies in the plan since it was published 11 years ago.

“It is of the utmost importance that we respond and generally our response supports the SMP proposals. 

“My only hope is that those responsible for the SMP will take our comments on board. 

“Any proposals have to be the right ones to ensure the safety of residents and the local economy which would be severely affected in a flooding incident.”

The review document can be found at: www.sdadcag.org.

Sidmouth Herald: “Sidmouth councillor backs DCC welcome to revised shoreline management plan” | NVCC
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