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Category Sand Rails Access Work Update Show all

Sand rails access work update - 18 August 2025

Works on site have been proceeding at speed now the block work revetment has been completed.

The historic tram rails have been preserved where possible at the top of the walkway, however where their condition was too poor in the lower part of the walkway, they have been replace in their original locations with like for like replacement rails.

The concrete walkway is being poured in short sections starting from the top and bottom of the walkway. The rails and historic setts have been included in the finished surface.

The final walkway surface has been given an exposed aggregate finish to allow it to blend in with the local setting and to provide additional friction.

The next week’s works will involve the preparation, pouring and finishing of more sections of walkway.


Placement of compacted aggregate foundation for concrete walkway.	Replacement tram rails being set in place and historic granite setts relocated to original locations, prior to pouring of concrete slab.	Finished exposed aggregate surface on top of walkway. with original rails inlayed into new concrete slab.

Sand rails access way update - 11 August 2025

Works on the walkway are now fully underway, following the completion of the work to the revetment. The historic tramway surfacing has been removed, along with the granite setts being placed to one side, to be reinstalled in the final finished surface later.

Where possible the existing historic rails are being retained, however, where they are too damaged or corroded, they are being replaced with a like for like copy in the same position.

Towards the bottom of the walkway the blocks along the top edge of the tramway sea wall have been raised locally in low spots in order to make a consistent gradient for the final walkway surface.

Works for the next week will focus on preparation of the lower walkway for the installation of the concrete surfacing, by replacing the damaged sections of rail and replacing the historic granite setts in their original locations but at the finished walkway level.


Stripping off of the old surfacing and building up of the seaward walkway edge, to provide a continuous gradient for the finished walkway.	Raised edging of the wall in preparation for pouring of concrete walkway behind.	Freshly poured concrete walkway surface with historic rails incorporated and exposed aggregate surface.

Sand rails access way update - 8 August 2025

Restoration work on the historic Sand Rails walkway continues to move forward, with recent cooler weather helping the team make good progress.

The sloping revetment and dwarf retaining wall are now complete and fully pointed. Attention has now shifted to the walkway itself, where work is underway to carefully restore the original surface.

Contractors have begun clearing the old cobbled surface at the seaward end of the walkway and removing any badly corroded sections of the original tramway rail. The historic granite setts have been surveyed and set aside. These will be reinstated in their original locations but at a slightly higher level when the new concrete surfacing is laid.

Since their installation, the temporary steps have been well used by visitors heading to Summerleaze beach, helping to ease pressure on the main access route during the busy summer season.

Completed revetment to dwarf wall transition.

Finished revetment and seeded top bank looking seaward.

Removal process of old walkway surfacing and corroded rails – historic granite setts removed and stored for reuse.

Newly installed temporary staircase reported to be well utilised by summer visitors to Bude.

Sand rails access way update - 31 July 2025


Sloping revetment almost completed to its full height.	Sloping revetment almost completed to its full height	Revetment and dwarf wall interface awaiting pointing	New temporary access staircase installed for increased summer holiday foot traffic

Works have been progressing well on site with the revetment and dwarf retaining wall almost complete. The final pointing works are left to undertake.

Works are now progressing onto the sand rail walkway, where efforts will be made to preserve the historic granite setts of the old railway siding. Works will be undertaken to provide new walkway surfacing, incorporating the historic sand rails. Where the condition of the rails is too poor to allow their incorporation into the new surfacing, they will be replaced with replica narrow gauge train rails.

The new temporary set of stairs has now been installed to ease the expected increased summer holiday foot traffic visiting Summerleaze beach. The temporary stairs will remain in place until the works on the walkway are complete.

Sand rails access work update - 25 July 2025

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The final layer of scaffolding deck has been installed to allow the completion of the top part of the sloping revetment. The first five metres of the seaward end of the revetment are now complete.
Whilst high temperatures have been slowing progress with large concrete pours, teams have been working on re-pointing the gaps between the block to create a solid outer layer of the revetment. It is planned that works on the sloping revetment will be completed by the end of this week.
Now the revetment is nearing completion work will begin on the upper section of the walkway. This will involve removing the existing surfacing and preservation works on the existing sand rails.
The walkway works were originally planned to be completed before the summer holiday to allow inclusive access to Summerleaze beach, however with the programme delays Cornwall Council have chosen to install an additional set of temporary stairs to ease congestion on the existing access steps until the works are complete. The steps will be installed this week and will remain in place until the walkway works are completed.

Works on the final top section of revetment.
Re-pointing works to the completed sloping revetment face.
Re-pointing works on top of the to the completed dwarf wall.
Sand rails access work update - 17 July 2025

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We previously said that the Sand Rails walkway would be ready in time for the summer holidays, and we are sorry that this won't now be the case.
The contractors have been working hard to complete the project, carefully balancing the need for accessible beach access with the importance of preserving this historic part of Bude.
Unfortunately, due to unexpectedly high spring tides at the beginning of the programme, challenges with the supply of concrete, and issues associated with the concrete setting quickly in hot weather, the work has been delayed.
We understand this delay is disappointing, but it is important that the work is completed to a high standard - one that provides safe, long-lasting access for those with mobility needs, while protecting the integrity of the heritage structure.
Cornwall Council are working with the contractors to explore all options available to mitigate the impact of any over-run on the local community and summer tourist season. It is hoped that an additional set of temporary steps will be installed, parallel to the existing steps, to help take the pressure off the main steps during peak season. We appreciate that this won't help if you aren't able to use the steps, and the contractors are working hard to compete this work as soon as possible. It is hoped that this will be by the end of the Summer holidays.
Works continue on site with on the sloping revetment which has almost reached its full height. The dwarf wall is now complete, with the cobbled upper surface now being worked on.

Three layers of scaffolding platforms installed for working
on the revetment
Cobblestones on top of dwarf wall looking seaward
Dwarf wall and cobblestones looking landward
Sand Rails Access Work Update - 30 June 2025

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Progress on the access way has been progressing well and another level of scaffolding has been installed to give access to higher up the revetment. This section of revetment has now been completed and pointed with Marine mortar. Progress has also been made on the dwarf wall.

Second level of scaffolding Pointing of the wall. Progress on dwarf wall The rails have been painted with galvanised paint.

Sand Rails Access Work Update - 23 June 2025

Progress continues on site as work moves into the next phase. Materials are being prepared, key features are taking shape, and the team is making use of specialist techniques to support the restoration.

Take a look at this week’s images for a snapshot of what’s happening.


Stone from Pigsdon Quarry is being mixed with the existing stones to ensure enough stones are available for the work.	A temporary scaffolding deck has been installed to give access further up the revetment.

The revetment section has been completed and is being pointed in Marine mortar. Setting out for the ‘dwarf wall’ has been completed.	The replacement “sand rails” have been delivered, for use where the existing ones are in poor condition. These have been painted with a special paint to help preserve them.

Sand Rails Access Work Update - 16 June 2025

Works on site are progressing, with further courses of reclaimed blockwork being added to the sloping revetment. Due to the linear nature of the site and to reduce manual handling, the revetment is being built up in layers from the seaward end first.

The works for the next week involve:

Continued rebuilding of the revetment
The addition of scaffolding to aid access to the working areas
Rebuilding works planned for the short retaining wall.
Replacement rails are expected to be delivered and will require the application of a corrosion resistant paint in order to extend their lifespan before their eventual installation.


Excavated revetment material being sorted for reuse to rebuild wall.	Further courses of block work being added to the sloping revetment.	Removal of old retaining wall and fresh foundation ready.

Sand Rails Access Work Update - 9 June 2025

Works on the revetment have been progressing well despite high tides preventing works on the lower revetment at times.


Removal of old revetment material.	Providing a new foundation and level guides for the new revetment surface.

Completed lower section of revetment including drainage.	Further up the walkway the small retaining wall between the walkway and the canal has been dismantled. This is now scheduled for reconstruction with a new concrete foundation to ensure its future stability.