A significant stretch of a major coastal road in a Devon beauty spot has catastrophically collapsed and been washed into the sea following a series of powerful storms that battered the region's defences. The A379 Slapton Line, which connects the communities of Torcross and Slapton, suffered a dramatic overnight failure after sea defences were obliterated by last month's severe weather.
Extensive Damage to Road and Infrastructure
Devon County Council has confirmed that the southern section of the A379 and the sheet piling at Torcross have sustained substantial damage. Approximately 200 metres of the road have been affected, with one lane completely collapsed into the sea. The local authority also reported that part of South Hams District Council's Torcross Tank car park has been lost to the encroaching waters, and several properties in Torcross have been damaged.
Photographic and video evidence from the scene vividly illustrates the scale of the destruction. Sections of the road, which runs precariously between a freshwater lake and the coastline, along with portions of the car park, have simply vanished beneath the waves. The owners of The Start Bay Inn at Torcross described the scene on social media as resembling a bomb site, with the access road to their pub filled with debris and rendered impassable.
Local and Political Response to the Crisis
Caroline Voaden, MP for Devon South, expressed profound shock at the devastation, stating that images from the A379 Slapton Line were absolutely heartbreaking. One of her team members on the ground reported that the force of the waves was so powerful it was physically shaking the remaining road structure. Ms Voaden has secured an urgent meeting with the Department for Transport to discuss the situation and seek governmental assistance.
Councillor Dan Thomas, Devon County Council's cabinet member for highways, explained that teams had been working tirelessly to protect the road since Storm Ingrid, but the relentless challenging weather conditions ultimately proved too severe. Council teams are currently on site with partners, including the Environment Agency, conducting damage assessments to determine the next course of action.
Traffic Disruption and Historical Context
Local authorities had previously implemented an interim traffic diversion through the car park to restore some functionality to the A379. However, the overnight damage has rendered this temporary solution impossible. Further investigations are now required to assess the full extent of the damage along the road between Torcross and Strete Gate.
This catastrophic event follows a January that saw three named storms – Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra – unleash torrential downpours across the UK, with the South West particularly affected. The region experienced widespread flooding and significant travel disruption. The last comparable incident occurred in March 2018 during Storm Emma, when the road was similarly washed away, requiring an extensive repair programme before reopening later that year.
