Storm damage to the beach at Slapton is to be repaired by the Slapton Line Partnership in order to protect the coast road, at a cost up to £20,000.

The bastions built along the beach in 2003 to protect the coast road were reduced by the force of the waves in the easterly storms at the end of April. The changes picked up in the Partnership's regular beach measurement were relayed to the Steering Group meeting of the 20 April, the Partnership agreed to replace the shingle and rebuild the bastions.

A study by an independent engineer concluded in 2006 that as a result of natural coastal erosion and sea level rises, storm damage would force the coast road to close in the next 30-50 years. The local community and businesses are working with the Partnership to help minimise the long term impact of the coastal change.

Chairman of the Partnership, Alan Robinson, said: "The beach is particularly at risk from storms coming from the east. The April storms lowered beach levels as well as removing material from the protective bastions."

"The Partnership is committed to maintaining the coast road for as long as possible. It was a simple and unanimous decision to rebuild these bastions when by doing so we could extend the lifetime of the route for the thriving community."

Funding for the works will come from South Hams District Council and Devon County Council in equal measure.

The response to the storm damage and re-building of the bastions is part of the Partnership's commitment to maintaining the road for as long as possible. Recent innovation funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is also supporting a number of community adaptation projects lead by the Partnership, including a Slapton Line business forum, improved facilities for visitors to the area, and more effective communications for local residents and businesses.

The Slapton Line Partnership consists of South Hams District Council, Devon County Council and Natural England, with input from the Environment Agency, the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust and Slapton Ley Field Centre.

If you're concerned with how you're going to manage the road loss when it happens, please contact the Slapton Line Partnership at enquiries@slaptonline.org.

Interview opportunities:
1) Chairman of the Slapton Line Partnership, Alan Robinson is available

Notes:
1. The Slapton coast road is a site of great environmental interest. Defra granted £1/4m to the SLP's Living with a changing coast to support the community as it learns to live with the evolving coastline.
2. When the coast road was closed after a great storm washed part of it away in 2001, the surrounding communities were unprepared. The storm damage caused great disruption until the road could be fixed and realigned. It was then that the Slapton Line Partnership was formed by South Hams District Council to seek the best long term management of the road for the local communities.
3. The Slapton Line Partnership is South Hams District Council (SHDC), Devon County Council (DCC) and Natural England (NE), supported by the Environment Agency (EA), Field Studies Council (FSC) and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

* Slapton Coastal Zone Management, Scott Wilson, August 2006 (http://www.southhams.gov.uk/slapton/MainStudy/Final/Volume%204/Slapton%20Executive%20Summary%20Report%20August%2006.pdfMain Study

For further information on any of the above and to arrange interviews, please contact SLP Communications Officer James Spencer on 07779 659632.