Closing both beaches at West Bay to allow sea defence work to take place would have a huge effect on businesses in the area, councillors say.

The Environment Agency is due to undertake coastal defence work, known as the West Bay Coastal Improvement (WBCI) scheme, to provide coastal flood protection to the resort.

The scheme – which involves flood defence works within West Bay, including West and East Beach, the Esplanade and Parkdean caravan park – is due to start in April.

Originally, work was scheduled between March and December 2019 with a two-month break during peak summer season, however, this was changed after an alternative source of rock was found which can be delivered more efficiently.

Amended plans, put forward by the Environment Agency earlier this month, show the timescale for the project has been dramatically reduced to just three months – but both beaches will be

closed simultaneously for two weeks during that time.

The new plans went before Bridport Town Council’s planning committee last week, when council leader, Cllr Sarah Williams, said she ‘has real concerns about shutting down both beaches.’

While councillors agreed work needs to be carried out, it was the simultaneous closure of both beaches which worried them most, along with work potentially taking place over Easter and the spring bank holiday.

Cllr Dave Rickard said: “This is the busiest weekend of the year for Bridport.

“It’s not going to be a quiet job.”

The council did not object to the plans but did request at least one beach remain open and accessible during both Easter week and the week of the May bank holiday.

Councillors also said they would prefer no work to take place on bank holidays, even where one beach remains closed.