Chit Rocks; Beach Ramp Project

13/07/2025

Some of you may have seen in the media recently the information about the larger beach management scheme to which we are connected. It’s great that there is a definitive time line now and progress is being made but it has pushed back our project to 2027.

We have decided therefore not to have our information days on Saturday mornings this summer but will use our time and energy to engage with all the public consultations about the larger scheme that will be happening over the course of the 12 months. Next summer we will again drive a campaign of awareness about the need for Access for All, including information days on Saturdays.

It has become clear as well that in the present economic climate we will not be able to raise the construction costs unless any large philanthropic donations are given. It has become harder and harder to access grant monies and the time scale shift has been difficult because most funding bodies want their money spent within a 12 month period. With businesses struggling as well, support from them is really difficult to achieve. We are working with EDDC and with Steve Donnelly the principal engineer to try and find a way to incorporate the cost of access into the larger Beach Management Scheme.

I have attached the presentation from the last advisory group meeting so you can see the details of the time scales and development so far.

Thank you all for your ongoing support and rest assured although we may have been a bit quiet over the last few months, our determination to make sure Sidmouth has access for everyone to our natural environment is as strong as ever.

We may be the 5th most popular seaside destination in the country but if so many people are still denied access to our beach then we have to keep campaigning until there is equality for all.
Dave

27/03/2025

We are starting to plan what to do this year to continue our campaign to get a ramp built for access onto the beach for everyone. Next week I have a meeting with EDDC Licensing sub committee to seek permission to run our information days which were a real success last summer in raising awareness and collecting donations. Meanwhile we will continue to share testimonials of those involved and those for who the ramp will be a life changer.
This is Sheena's story who is a member of our steering committee.

“Come and live by the sea.”
After over 20 years of visiting my sister in Sidmouth, I took her advice and moved from London to East Devon.
I have always loved the seafront, but over the years my disability has increased and I can no longer clamber over the rocks to the beach here in Sidmouth. This makes me sad, not able to join friends and family, swimming, picnicking , rock pooling etc while I look on from the promenade.
But by chance, I met Dave, who told me all about the money he was raising to build a permanent ramp from the esplanade, over the rocks, to the beach. I said that I would like to help in raising
awareness and money for the Chit Rock Ramp project.
This ramp will impact on so many peoples lives, making the beach accessible not only to people with mobility problems.Just think of all the families that could come for a bucket and spade
holiday boosting the local economy.
Looking forward to a dip in the sea, which will happen, if you can dip into your pockets,
Thank you,
Sheena.

24/12/2024

On behalf of the steering committee I would like to wish all of our supporters the very best of Seasonal Greetings and to thank you for your support during 2024. The focus this year has been about raising awareness and building support for the project as well as encouraging local fundraising. As we move into 2025 we will be focused on looking for business sponsorship and grants and support from national organisations.
Merry Christmas and let us hope it is a happier New Year around the world.

19/11/2024

Our latest story comes from one of our own steering committee members. Ruth is really passionate about access for all to the beach in Sidmouth. Here is why.....

I wanted to take a moment to share why the Chit Rock Beach Access For All project is so close to my heart and why I believe it’s something that truly matters for our community. As someone who has firsthand experience of navigating the challenges of supporting both a wheelchair user and a young toddler, I know just how tough it can be to meet everyone’s needs.

Sidmouth has so much to offer in terms of accessibility along the Byes and the beautiful seafront, yet there remains a significant gap when it comes to accessing the beach itself. This project is about more than just convenience; it’s about inclusion, equity, and shared experiences.

One of the hardest moments for me was realising that while my younger daughter could dip her toes in the sand, my older daughter, who used a wheelchair, could not join in. The joy of playing together on the beach—building sandcastles, feeling the waves—was something she had to miss out on simply because of accessibility barriers. No family should have to face that.

I am passionate about making sure that everyone, regardless of their mobility, has the chance to enjoy the sand, the sea, and those precious, carefree moments that create lasting memories. Chit Rock Beach Access For All isn’t just an idea—it’s a vision for a more inclusive Sidmouth, where everyone has the opportunity to experience the simple pleasures of our beautiful coastline.

If this resonates with you, please share, support, and help spread the word. Together, we can make beach access a reality for all.

14/11/2024

Latest Update.....

During the summer we focused on raising awareness and gathering support for the ramp project as well as doing some local fundraising.

The steering committee were involved in a variety of fundraising events as well as running information days on site at Chit Rocks.

We collected nearly 500 signatures of support and had very positive and informative conversations about the project with residents and visitors. The project also featured in the press on a number of occasions including making front page three times.

A huge thank you to all those that who made donations or held fund-raising events during this period. We raised over £5000 and the amount continues to rise thanks to having collection boxes in a number of venues around town.

Our attention over the next few months will focus on seeking business sponsorship and applying for more grants. We will also be connecting with organisations that champion access for all at a national level, as well as continuing to share individual stories from people for whom the ramp would make such a huge difference.

Thank you for your ongoing support..

07/10/2024

This weeks story about a lovely family who love visiting Sidmouth's beautiful beach..... Thank you Warwick and family for sharing your story.

"Hey, my name is Warwick. I’ve been visiting Sidmouth for nearly 5 years as I have a caravan nearby. I just love the hustle and bustle of the town but especially popping into all of the shops, cafes and restaurants. I enjoy wheeling along the beachfront from one end to the other watching all of the boats, swimmers and paddle boarders.

I have managed to get onto the beach at Sidmouth via the current ramp when I was a lot smaller, but now I’m bigger it isn’t possible for me due to the size of the stones and the angles of the beach. If I want to access a flat beach, I have to drive over to Exmouth where I don’t have the shops and cafe’s that I like.

Outdoors and adventures are some of my favourite things. One of my outdoor hobbies is paddle boarding! So when my friends and I heard about the Chit Rock beach ramp project we got really excited. This ramp being installed would mean I could wheel right down onto the beach, then across the compact sand and onto my paddle board in the water, all in my favourite place! How wonderful does that sound? This would be the true meaning of “access for all” whilst future proofing Sidmouth’s accessibility for years to come.

Hopefully if enough people get involved by sharing info on this project and donating, I’ll be paddling around in no time 🏄🏽‍♂️♿️🌊"

https://gofund.me/1e466fd4

30/09/2024

We continue our stories with one from Emily Hadfield who shows so clearly why we need access for all onto our wonderful beach.

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"Growing up in Sidmouth, I have spent many days enjoying the beach and swimming in the sea and have mastered the art of eating an ice cream without it being stolen by the seagulls! As a teenager it was the go to place for my friends and I to meet up and socialise, surrounded by the stunning backdrop of the cliffs, and I know this is the case for many young people.

However, it has become more difficult for me to access the beach over time as my mobility has declined due to my disability and I have had to rely on my wheelchair more and more. Whilst Sidmouth currently has some ramps onto the pebbles, I cannot independently access the sand or get to the waters edge to go for a swim. This has been frustrating to deal with as a young adult keen to live life to the fullest in the same way all my friends are doing, and it’s sad to live in such a beautiful place and not be able to enjoy it to its fullest.

The Chit Rocks beach access for all campaign is a wonderful initiative that will make accessing the sand and water possible again for me and others like me, through building a new ramp directly onto the sand. As Sidmouth has an ageing population, many of whom suffer with mobility problems, this ramp promises to benefit many people, and you never know if you might need it in the future too.

The campaign team have been busy raising the funds required but there is still a long way to go. To get involved or support the campaign please contact us via our page, or email Dave Rafferty on drafferty@hotmail.com to learn more.

If you wish to make a donation please check out our GoFundMe page.

https://gofund.me/d7aa8113

Thank you for helping to make Sidmouth beach accessible to everyone.

23/09/2024

We're thrilled to be meeting so many amazing supporters during our Chit Rock Access for All awareness days! It's heartwarming to hear your stories and why this project means so much. We're excited to start sharing some of these stories, beginning with Olive Flynn's. Olive dreams of seeing the ramp in place before her 100th birthday. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories as we continue working towards making Chit Rock accessible to everyone!

I was born in Sidmouth and spent the majority of my childhood and the last forty years here. My sister and I spent many happy hours playing on the beach — especially on Chit Rocks exploring the rock pools — and swimming in the sea.
There was no chine in those days, nor was there a path around the cliff to get to the Jacob’s Ladder beach. That had to be accessed by way of Connaught Gardens and the ladder.
Thirty or forty years ago there was more accessible sand, especially via the slipways at both the town and Jacob’s Ladder beaches. Nowadays, the two rock islands have caused a huge increase in the number of pebbles, which cover the slipways and the original pathway along the beach.
Currently, in order to paddle, I have to go from my home to the beach in my buggy, but now, in my old age (nearly 98 years old), I must go down the steps at the extreme western end of the main beach — the eastern end of the pathway around the cliffs — because this is now the only place to get access directly onto sand. This is very difficult. The concrete steps are steep, often wet of course, and without handrails on the lower third. This makes it dangerous for those with poor balance, strength, and eyesight.
I feel there should certainly be better access to the beach, without steps, making it possible for those with prams, wheelchairs, buggies, and other wheeled devices to access the sands and the sea — and safer for those less steady on their feet to walk down to the sand.

12/09/2024

Access for all should be in place everywhere around the town including our beautiful sandy beach.
Our project will help make that happen for Sidmouth. However we cannot do it alone, there are so many ways you can help us achieve our end goal;
- Donating to our GoFundMe page.
- Coming along to our fundraising events
- Arranging fundraising events of your own (afternoon teas, sports events ect.)

Lets make our sandy beach accessible to all, all year round.

28/08/2024

Support from local organisations and residents has continued to grow over the summer and recently we have had a donation from Sid Vale Folk of £150. A huge thank you to all the members of the choir for your support.
If your organisation would like to support this project or you wish to find out more information then do get in touch.

Our songs are a mixture of traditional and contemporary songs, loosely described as “folk”. We try to reflect different themes and times of the year in our performances. The choir are constantly adding to the repertoire and often revisit old friends. Members print their own copies from the websi...

15/08/2024

Our amazing beach is inaccessible to many people due to a disability and many many other reasons. We are still determined to create an all year round solution to this. If you could help in any way please do, by sharing this post, coming to our events, even hosting your own events and donating to our go fund me page.
We thank you everyone who is supporting this project, we really feel it will be a brilliant asset to the town whilst still being mindful of the incredible biodiversity on our local shore line.

01/08/2024

Absolutely Brilliant! Thank you.