Parts of a beach in West Bay are closed off to the public as essential maintenance work is carried out.

Access along sections of East Beach have been restricted while the Environment Agency work is carried out to improve flood defences along the coast.

Most of East Beach is still open to the public, but access along parts will be restricted at certain times of the day while the improvements are underway.

It is part of routine work to ensure the beach remains resistant against flooding during the winter and takes place annually.

On November 3, machinery was utilised on East Beach to begin the process of reprofiling the surface.

The shingle material will be moved into a shape and height that optimises its defence against adverse weather.

The Environment Agency described that over time waves, tides and people walking along the shoreline changes the shape of the beach by reducing its crest height and width, which dwindles its effectiveness at protecting inland areas.

Signs on East Beach on Monday (Image: West Bay Discovery Centre)

The profile of the beach is designed to work with the buried rock revetment structure, installed by the Environment Agency in 2019 as part of the West Bay Coastal Improvements Scheme, which heightens the protection that the beach offers to the town.

Signs and tape have been put in place to clearly show the parts of the beach to avoid and people have been seen walking around the maintenance operation with ease.

The work is expected to take until the end of the month to complete, dependent on conditions that affect the ability to work.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "We are undertaking essential maintenance to East Beach to ensure it continues to provide an optimum level of protection from coastal flooding in West Bay.

"The beach remains open and if members of the public follow the instructions of staff on site they will be able to safely enjoy a visit at East Beach."