Devon County Council highways teams are assessing damage to the A379 at Slapton after parts of the road were washed away.

The Council has been working around the clock over the past week to add extra rock protection to the southern section of the road at Torcross, following initial damage to the road during Storm Ingrid. However, the southern section of the road and sheet piling at Torcross has now suffered significant damage, with one lane collapsed on a section of around 200 metres.

Part of South Hams District Council’s “Torcross Tank” car park has also been lost, and properties in Torcross have been damaged as well.

Devon and South Hams had been working closely on plans to try and divert traffic through the car park as an interim measure to get the A379 up and running again. However, the extent of the damage overnight is a major setback and that option is no longer possible.

Further investigations now also need be carried out on the full extent of the road between Torcross and Strete Gate.

The last time the road had been washed away in severe weather was during Storm Emma in March 2018, but it re-opened later that year after an extensive repair scheme.

(Picture: Devon County Council)