A Budleigh correspondent points out that storm Goretti has changed the beach profile at Budleigh to reveal the concrete conduit outlet at the western end of Marine Parade. As described by Peter Williams, this dumps the Brook + sewage from 5 CSO’s onto the beach. See ‘Budleigh Sewage Hotspots Map’, 

Until around the 1970s (according to the Budleigh source) this was a prominent structure on the beach projecting some 6-9 feet above the pebbles. The end had a grill fastened to it (so say) to stop little boys from climbing into it. It is now full of pebbles and it doesn’t look in good repair.

Since then it has been mostly buried as the eastward long shore drift has built a much bigger pebble beach in front of the town, leading the Environment Agency to describe Budleigh as a “self protecting” beach. Each time there is a cliff fall to the west, more pebbles are dropped onto the beach.

[The Budleigh correspondent also says that the storm has revealed WWII “tank traps” at the bottom of Steamer Steps (big blocks of concrete)]

Whilst posting on sewage Owl wishes to add East Devon Watch’s tributes to Geoff Crawford, one of the founders of the Exmouth anti pollution campaign “ESCAPE”, who sadly passed away suddenly on December 28th. He was an inspiration and Owl understands that other members of ESCAPE will be relentless in honouring his legacy, continuing the work he started.