by a Government scheme to barricade it from sea surges.

They say workers and diggers began ripping up the beauty spot with no forewarning.

See photo on page 8.

"Everybody is just furious. We can't understand why no one came to our houses to consult us,'' said Mr. David Critchley.

Another resident, Mr. Alex Outerbridge exclaimed: "The beach has been turned into a pig's breakfast.'' He said it was the latest in a string of bungled bids to protect the beach from storm-whipped seas.

"I reckon hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent over the years.'' The latest scheme is designed to prevent erosion of the beach, fore shore, and roadway from surges.

It involves lining around part of the beach with around five four-foot by six-foot rock-filled wire baskets, near the edge of Devonshire Bay Road.

Boulders are placed on top and next to them.

Drainage has been installed as well to channel water running off the roadway on to the beach.

Mr. Bill Cook, assistant director of Parks, said the beach had suffered both from water off the road, and sea surges.

"Once the work is complete the gabion baskets won't be visible,'' he said.

"I don't believe it will be unsightly at all. Something had to be done. If we did nothing the road would disappear with the sea surges.'' Mr. Cook said he had spoken to some residents about the problems and work involved.

Works and Engineering Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira said he understood residents' concerns.

"It's really a question of residents not being able to see the finished product,'' he said.

"It was the same with East Broadway -- people now believe it's the best thing since sliced bread.'' Dr. Terceira stressed his ministry was only involved in helping out with the project.

Mr. Critchley said he could see the beach from his home at Devon Point Lane.

"It's extremely unsightly. I've spoken to several of the residents and they have expressed alarm. There is a heck of a lot of upset.'' He added: "This is a pretty little bay, and your first sight is this embankment of wire cages full of rocks.

Mr. Critchley said he would have preferred an embankment of sand planted with sea grasses.

"It would prevent a certain amount of erosion,'' he added.

Said Mrs. Irene Smith: "I've been swimming 43 years at the bay, and now I can't. It's disgusting.

"Around half the beach has been turned into a mud hole. It's full of red mud.'' Mr. Ellison Smith recalled how Hurricane Emily had damaged the beach, leaving it awash.

But he attacked the latest scheme: "A right mess has been made of the beach.'' Mr. Outerbridge said around five attempts had been made to prevent erosion.

"It's been a comedy, although it's not so funny now.'' One previous attempt involved laying down reinforced concrete with aggregate.

"But the aggregate was washed away by storms leaving these nasty sharp pieces of concrete,'' said Mr. Outerbridge.

He added he thought gabion baskets were the best bet for solving the problem.

"It's something I, as a layman, suggested a long time ago, but I was told I didn't know what I was talking about.'' Mr. Outerbridge said surges at Devonshire Bay were particularly strong with heavy currents.

Another local resident is Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul, who yesterday could not be contacted for comment.