|
Work to clear sand and debris from the A379 at Slapton is
underway.
The road between Torcross and Strete Gate suffered
significant damage during last week’s storm.
The southern section of the road from the Slapton junction
(Sands Road) to Torcross has been covered by a significant amount of shingle
and is currently impassable. It is expected it will take around a week to clear
this part of the A379, although the carriageway is thought to be intact on this
stretch.
A 450 metre section of the road between Sands Road and
Strete Gate has been undermined and is likely to be closed for some time while
Devon County Council engineers evaluate the extent of the damage.
A beach management plan drop-in session, scheduled to take
place at Stokenham on Wednesday (7 March) to look at the longer term future of
the Slapton Line has been postponed until initial damage assessments have been
carried out. Because the damage to the Slapton Line, nearby
carparks and toilets blocks is extensive and is requiring further
investigation, the public consultation on the proposed Beach management plan,
which looks in detail at the technical options which could help protect the
Slapton Line over the next 20 years, has been postponed.
All agencies involved in the Slapton Line Partnership,
including South Hams District Council, Environment Agency, Natural England,
South Devon AONB, the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Field Studies
Council at Slapton Ley, and Devon County Council, are working to establish the
best way to reconnect local communities in the area.
South Hams District Council’s Memorial Car Park was damaged
in the storm and remains closed, and barriers are being located at Slapton
Junction, Strete Gate and Memorial car to maintain public safety.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet
member for Highway Management, said: “The road has been severely damaged by
Storm Emma – with some of it undermined and partly washed away. Public safety
is our paramount concern and we would advise people to please follow the
diversion and obey the road closure. We appreciate this is a vital route and we
are working closely with our partners to decide on the best course of action
from here.”
Councillor Julian Brazil, local County Councillor for
Kingsbridge and South Hams Councillor, said: “We want to reopen the road as
quickly as possible but that will need funding from Central Government or their
agencies. We need to see what permissions or agreements may be required. Last
time there was damage at the Torcross end all the various parties worked
together and we managed to sort thing out pretty quickly. I’m hoping it will be
the same again."
Cllr Richard Foss, Ward Member for Allington and Strete at
South Hams District Councillor, said: “South Hams District Council are working
closely with all the partners and agencies involved in managing the Slapton
Line, including the AONB, the Environment Agency, Natural England and the
Slapton Line Field Centre. I agree with Cllr Brazil, it is heart breaking, but
we are all focused and engaged on achieving the best possible outcomes within
the constraints that we have.
|
