Seafront repair works under way after storm damage

Works to reinforce a seafront have started after it was battered by winter storms.

In May, the Environment Agency (EA) announced it had approved £19.8m for the scheme at Torcross in Devon.

The defences were damaged by multiple storms in January, eventually leading to part of the A379 coastal road between Torcross and Slapton being washed away in February. The road remains closed.

The EA said: "We recognise how important access at the southern end of Torcross beach is to the community, and we are continuing to work on a solution."

Under the plans, 25m (82ft) of armour - made up of large rocks - would be placed on the beach between the access steps at the southern end and the slipway at the north end, project leaders said.

The Tank car park in the village has been closed to become a compound for the works, with the first rocks due to arrive on 17 October.

Businesses in Torcross have thanked visitors for their custom over the summer.

Emma Wilson, manager of Start Bay Inn, said takeaways had done particularly well, explaining "we were up on our normal figures for this time of year".

Traffic has been diverted onto inland routes since part of the A379 disappeared, which Wilson said she felt had affected footfall from the Dartmouth area.

"It takes 50 minutes and it's always going to be an issue if they don't fix the road," she said.

She added: "The customers we have had have been brilliant and I hope they keep it up when we need them the most over the winter."

Bridget Myers, visiting from Stoke Fleming, said: "We had to come the long way through Kingsbridge but we want to give our full support to local businesses."

Paul and Beverly Johnson, from Derby, stayed in Dartmouth and visited Torcross as they "love the area" and said they were "very glad" they went.

Natalie Cordrey, who runs a yoga business Start Bay Studio in the village, said: "Initially, when we were given the £19.8m, there was a lot of celebration.

"[But] as time has gone on, there is some trepidation about the amount of work and the amount of rocks we're going to have, and grieving about losing our beach."

Shingle from Torcross was removed by the storms.

The EA said beach levels at the site "naturally fluctuate".

In a report, published in June, it said: "Detailed work over many years by the University of Plymouth show that (in broad terms) whilst southerly winds remove shingle from the Torcross end of Slapton Sands, easterly winds bring it back."

It also explained: "It may be that the natural processes will at times result in shingle partially or fully covering the rock armour.

"But we recognise that at other times - when shingle levels are low - the beach in front of the sea defences will effectively be replaced by rock."

The agency added: "Our assessment has confirmed that access works at the southern end will need to follow the installation of rock armour there, which is the primary purpose of the Torcross works scheme.

"We want to reassure the community that if there is a solution to issues around access, it will be delivered as part of the works as quickly as possible."

Despite facing winter and potentially further storms, Cordrey said she was confident in the future and had invested in growing her business, expanding her studio to include a coffee shop and sauna.

She said: "I am not put off... [the area is] always going to be stunning for me and for most other people as well."

Devon County Council (DCC) and South Hams District Council have been approached for comment.

In August, DCC published its full and final bid to the Government's Structures Fund, for an additional £19.6m to restore and strengthen the A379 at Slapton.

The council said: "The plans would reinstate the collapsed section of road and improve its resilience to future storms."

A Department for Transport spokesperson said the application was being considered with a decision expected in the autumn.

On the closure of the car park, Gail Stubbs, from the Start Bay Inn, said businesses acknowledged it was shut for "obviously for a very good reason", but "it will be a massive impact for us... I just urge locals to still please come down and give us all some support".

She added: "We are enormously grateful that we are going to get some boulders along here and some protection for the village, otherwise we wouldn't be here in a few years, I don't think."

"As long as the pub is standing, we will be open."

Julian Brazil, leader of Devon County Council and area councillor, said: "We are waiting on the Department for Transport and they have said we will hear something this autumn and then we will see.

"People like Gail are doing a fantastic job, and it's the human cost of it all that you see when you speak to Gail and my thoughts go out to them."

He added: "What we need to do is make sure, if the road isn't there, people can still come and enjoy the fantastic views.

"If you stay positive and have that view and that determination that we will adapt and make the changes we need to do, then we still will be incredibly successful."

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