area as a result of coastal erosion Most of the following slides were taken in this area Slapton Sands • Slapton Sands is a barrier beach • Behind the barrier is Slapton Ley (a lagoon). • The main road runs along the barrier beach Slapton Sands • In the winter of 2000 – 1, easterly gales combined with a high tide overtopped the beach. • The main A379 (Dartmouth to Kingsbridge rd) was severely eroded. Slapton Sands
• Rip rap was quickly
placed to protect the remainder of the beach from further attack. • For a while the road was closed to traffic, before re-opening with single line traffic & traffic lights. Slapton Sands • The beach car park at Slapton was also heavily eroded by the same gales Slapton Sands • The car park was quickly protected, from further attack, by emplacing these concrete links Slapton Sands • This photograph taken in 2003 shows that the links, themselves were coming under attack Slapton Sands • This shows that behind the links geotextiles were emplaced to try to stop the flow of water. Slapton Sands • Part of the car park has had to be fenced off, reducing its capacity. Slapton Sands • In 2001 the road had to be temporarily closed. • When re-opened there was a new road was single tracked with signal control. • The road is vital to the local economy as it is the main access route for the local villages (Torcross, Slapton, Strete etc). • The local economy is dependant on tourism & any reduction in access will have major implications for the economy. Slapton Sands • The newly constructed, temporary single track road. • This road was constructed in 6 days Slapton Sands • In 2002 the road was realigned 50M inland Slapton Sands • This is where the road bends inland. • The route of the old road can clearly be seen Slapton Sands • To protect the new road a large sand berm was constructed. Slapton Sands • This shows the berm & the full width of the beach Slapton Sands • The old road is now being removed & the area re-seeded to allow the vegetation to regenerate. • This recolonisation will further protect the road Slapton Sands • A final look back south along the new road • The old road Summary