Ingrid wreaks havoc at Torcross, Beesands and Hallsands
Storm Ingrid’s conjunction of spring tides, a low-pressure storm surge, and south-easterly winds gusting up to 70 miles per hour caused significant damage and heartache in our coastal settlements this weekend. In Torcross, several dwellings (all, thankfully, unoccupied) had their fronts demolished by the force of the waves, while many other suffered broken windows and smashed up garden furniture. During the storm boulders, concrete and wooden benches, and paving stone were hurled about like toys, some ending up in the Ley. The stone wall backing the Start Bay Inn’s car park was partly washed away. One long-term resident said he hadn’t seen anything like it since the great storm of 1979. At one stage the Tank car park was underwater, and the A379 was blocked by tons of shingle and other storm-borne debris. The road is currently closed (see Road and Traffic updates above) and may remain closed for some time while its length is inspected for storm damage.
At Beesands, meanwhile, the slipway and car park have suffered further damage and are covered in large debris, as is the village green. In Hallsands the sea has taken another bite out of the car park, already significantly shrunken since the Christmas storms. More high winds and rain are forecast for the next few days so it may be some time before full-scale clean-up efforts can begin.
The pedestrian walkway that links the Helmer’s Estate in Chillington with the playing field and park is temporarily closed while contractors investigate rotting timbers which could make the structure dangerous to users. Both carrier joists and a number of decking planks on the ramp at the eastern end of the walkway (playing-field end) are seriously weakened and could fail at short notice. A spokesperson for Stokenham Parish Council, which owns the playing-field end of the walkway, said that the timbers were reaching the end of their expected life and plans were already in place to renew the structure with more durable materials. In the meantime the council had no choice but to advise walkers to avoid using it. The closure has been marked with barrier tape: those continuing to use the walkway before repairs are effected do so at their own risk! 