Mr Andrews said: “This work will be very much dependent on weather and sea conditions, and we’ve designed the programme to lessen the impact as much as possible to local people, visitors and businesses.

“We are very grateful for everyone’s understanding and patience.”

Work was unable to start in the summer because the seagrass along part of the wall is home to breeding seahorses.

Following the work, the seagrass will be restored and monitored to ensure there has been no detrimental effect to the protected species.