Charmouth has been given a mini makeover. The area east of the bridge, known as Evan’s Cliff, has had a new simple seating structure installed, along with a new panel with key information for visitors and locals.
The space has been smartened up into a defined circular area which has been kept as low-key and ‘natural’ as possible. This has reduced the visual intrusion of signs and infrastructure and created a site which is in keeping with the local environment, as well as reducing future maintenance costs.
Evan’s Cliff, Charmouth, before the makeover
How it looks now
The aim of the renovation is to reduce clutter in this area and open it up more, so that the stunning coastal environment can be better appreciated, and to create an open area which complements the bridge. The number of signs has been greatly reduced to one simple panel telling people the key information useful for a visit to the beach, including tide times (as well as a guide on how to read tide timetables!), safety information, advice on safe fossil hunting and clear information on where you can go with your dog.
Daryl Turner, Cabinet Member for the Natural & Built Environment at Dorset County Council, said:
“This project was possible because of a successful partnership approach between Dorset County Council, Charmouth Parish Council, the Foreshore Committee, the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, the Jurassic Coast Trust and Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). We are really pleased with the results which will help our visitors and local people enjoy this section of our stunning Jurassic Coast all the more.”
Paul Oatway, Chair of the Charmouth Foreshore Committee, said:
“Charmouth Parish Council and the Foreshore Committee are delighted to have been partners in this project which seeks to enhance and improve our natural environment for visitors and local people. We feel the simple changes have made the area much more attractive and the messages which we want people to take note of, such as the tide times and dog fouling, are now presented in a clearer, easier to read format.”
The work was led by Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team and the Jurassic Coast Trust, working in partnership to deliver access and interpretation improvements along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
