Pump-priming money for Parade repair work

By pharper

COMBE Martin parish councillors have agreed to pay nearly £2,000 to kick start long awaited repairs on the seaside Parade area.

Members of Combe Martin Parish Council met on Monday and decided to pay £1,925, for two contractors to cost the repairs to Newberry Beach Parade and then help prepare a grant application to Devon County Council.

The grant request to the council has to be submitted by the middle of March and the cash is essential to repairing the popular tourist area.

The Parade has been closed for two years after being judged to be structurally unsafe.

The planned work will include rebuilding the arches, renovating the walkways, steps, and replacing the balustrades above the arches partially with railings.

The old museum building on the Parade will also be brought back to working order so it can eventually be let.

Julia Clark, chairman of Combe Martin Parish Council, said the working party had been "going round in circles".

She explained that a decision on whether to retain the museum building and finding out the extent of damage to the arches had been holding up the project.

Cllr Clark said: "I am just glad we finally seem to be getting somewhere.

"It is a beautiful area when it is open with the scenery and views of the sea."

The grant from Devon County Council would come directly from the proceeds of the sale of Exeter Airport fund.

Parishioners in Combe Martin were encouraged to make suggestions this time last year by the parish council on possible uses for the Parade and their ideas, which included a mini-theatre, a cafe or completely landscaping the site.

With the economic slump, the work to the Parade is now focusing on essential repairs.

Michelle Beaumont, clerk of Combe Martin Parish Council, said: "When the grant first became available the focus was on innovation and we were asked for ideas.

"Of course with the recession, everyone finds themselves in a different climate and we have to cut our cloth accordingly."

Mrs Beaumont said the council could not say if the Parade would be open in time for the summer.