 Mr. Bell an assistant engineer on the South Devon Railway spent some months confirming the accuracy of Spratt's observations.Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who had bought an estate at Watcombe, congratulated Captain Thomas Spratt on his scheme to improve the promenade and the harbour entrance at the same time; "I never read a more sensible, concise and practical discussion of such a subject".The main improvements were never carried out, however some dredging works were implemented in 1857 near the Den Point following complaints from mariners.