The first stage of a �300,000 upgrade of Orcombe Point and the surrounding area will begin next month.

And work on the pedestrianisation of the end of Queens Drive and improvements to Foxholes car park will follow in the New Year.

Bright 3D has drawn up detailed plans to enhance Exmouth’s western gateway of the Jurassic Coast after the plans were backed by the town hall.

Once completed, the work will see new signs at Orcombe Point telling the story of the Jurassic Coast, costing �45,000. The vandal-proof signs will display geological information and replace signs vandalised four years ago.

Improvements to Orcombe Point, costing around �170,000, will be made including a one-metre stone wall with a grass embankment sweeping up behind it and merged with benches.

Signpost ‘totems’, made from corten steel, will be installed at Foxholes car park, the eastern end of Queens Drive and at the top of a zig-zag path enroute to Orcombe Point with ‘interpretation points’ dotted along the way.

A Devon County Council spokesman said they were finalising the plans following the granting of planning permission, and added: “It is expected that we will start on the first phase of the project around the area of the geoneedle before the end of November.

“Works will include re-profiling the land to create a retaining wall with integrated seating; an orientation point with stone pavers; and there will be re-surfacing including interpretive stones.”

He said the second phase, involving creating a small pedestrianised area at the end of Queens Drive would follow. This includes more dropped kerbs for disabled users, anti-vehicle bollards and a new roundabout.

Work on improvements to the zig-zag path, new interpretation boards on the path and at Foxholes car park will also begin in the New Year.”