VITAL work has got underway to ‘reprofile’ part of Teignmouth beach.

Harbour commissioners have organised the operation to return sand from Den Point to its charted position.

The work is essential to clear sand from entering the estuary which could affect the navigation of ships into the town’s port.

The sand has migrated from the Point and into the main channel of the River Teign.

Habourmaster Rob Parsons explained: ‘Due to the Easterly storms, we have suffered since November and a lack of effective beach groynes along Teignmouth beach, Den Point has migrated significantly into the estuary and therefore impacting upon the main navigation channel.

‘Teignmouth Harbour Commissioners have a responsibility to ensure that vessels can safely navigate our waters and unfortunately the present position of the sand is not suitable to consistently ensure this without additional resources.

‘The plan is to correct this sand position, and we are hopeful we will be complete before the end of May.’

Mr Parsons is in daily contact with the contractors to ensure there is minimal impact to the public.

The aim is to restore the Point to how it has appeared previously.

The work is expected to take two to three weeks.

There will be no impact for anyone on the water but anglers and walkers are asked to stay away to allow the operation to be completed as quickly as possible.

The operation is being carried out as a matter of urgency.

Longer term, Teignbridge Council last month adopted a plan to manage the district’s coastline.

Teignmouth Beach Management Plan sets out a strategy to strengthen coastal defences including recommendations to raise the sea wall and repair toe piles at the bottom of the sea wall, build a new groyne field, and to relocate the disposal area for dredged material from Sprey Point to an area adjacent to Teignmouth Pier to help maintain sand levels.

However, the council said work needs to be done to develop a business case to secure funding and licences for the proposals to be progressed.

The report is based on months of research, modelling and analysis of wave data, sand levels and current sea defence assets.

Any construction of new coastal defences is likely to be led by the Environment Agency with Teignbridge District Council playing a key role as a project partner.

In the meantime, the current work to reprofile the Point sand has been deemed essential for operational reasons.

Later this month, work will start on dredging the River Teign estuary.

Mr Parsons explained: ‘Post reprofiling we will see an increase in sediment in the main channel and approaches so the dredger will work towards getting us back to our required depth.’

Dredging is carried out to maintain shipping channels to allow vessels to access the Port of Teignmouth.

It means the port can continue to accommodate large vessels and maintain the volume of ships using the port.