A vital coastal road in Devon has been catastrophically destroyed after being battered by a series of severe storms, with repair costs now estimated to run into tens of millions of pounds. The A379, which connects the villages of Torcross and Slapton near Dartmouth, broke apart overnight following relentless heavy rain and powerful waves.
Road Swept Away by Consecutive Storms
The destruction follows the impact of three named storms – Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra – which hit the South West of England particularly hard last month. These weather systems brought torrential downpours leading to significant flooding and widespread travel disruption across the region. The sea defences protecting the A379 were critically weakened during these January storms, setting the stage for the road's ultimate collapse.
Scene of Devastation
Images from the scene reveal a stark picture of the damage, with entire sections of the tarmac and an adjacent public car park having completely disappeared into the sea. The force of the waves was reportedly so intense that it was shaking the remaining structure of the road, according to local reports.
Local and Political Response
Devon County Council has issued a stark warning about the scale of the financial challenge. Council leader Julian Brazil stated that the damage is devastating for the local community and that the county simply cannot afford the massive rebuild required. He emphasised that the priority is supporting the families whose lives and livelihoods are directly affected, while desperately seeking financial assistance from the central government.
Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, Caroline Voaden, described the event as "the news we've all been dreading." She was at Westminster urging for more funding for roads when the collapse occurred. Ms Voaden criticised the government's allocation of resources, noting that billions have been dedicated to projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail while coastal communities are left defenceless against the impacts of a changing climate.
Historical Precedent and Future Concerns
This is not the first time this stretch of road has succumbed to the sea. It was previously washed away during Storm Emma in March 2018, also known as the Beast from the East, and required extensive repairs before reopening later that year. The repeated destruction highlights the ongoing vulnerability of coastal infrastructure to extreme weather events, raising urgent questions about long-term protection measures and climate resilience funding for the region.
