The former Dolphin Quest breakwater on the South Shore is being dismantled — four years after it was damaged by Hurricane Fabian.

Fairmont Bermuda has excavated a temporary road on Open Space at East Whale Bay — on land owned by the Fairmont Southampton. The hotel group say they are "simply complying with the wishes of the Department of the Environment" and do not need Planning permission as the road is a temporary measure.

The land will be returned to its "natural state" after the breakwater is removed.

Shelley Meszoly, regional director of sales and marketing, told The Royal Gazette: "A temporary access road has been created to assist in the removal of equipment that is in place dismantling the former Dolphin Quest structure that was destroyed during Hurricane Fabian.

"We are in the process of returning the former Dolphin Quest area to its natural state.

"The property being used for the temporary roadway at Fairmont Southampton is understood to be zoned as Open Space.

"No special permission is required for this temporary usage. We are simply complying with the wishes of the Department of the Environment to dismantle the former Dolphin Quest breakwater.

"The road is in place only to accommodate an emergency need to remove the equipment from the breakwater in the event of a storm.

"The land being used for the roadway will be returned to its natural state at the end of the project."