The Environment Agency has finished repairing Torcross sea defence in Devon after damage caused by the storms of February 2016.
The storms saw large waves hit the sea defence when beach levels were low, causing cracks to appear along the promenade.
The repaired wall cost £2.4 million and reduces the risk of flooding to 51 properties. It is designed to withstand a severe storm, even when beach levels are low. Steel sheet piles have been installed directly in front of the existing line of piles with a new reinforced concrete capping beam - the double-length piles give the wall extra stability.
The repair work was carried out by the Environment Agency’s contractor BMM, the joint venture between BAM Nuttall and Mott MacDonald.
The Environment Agency will inspect the defence every 24 months and monitor the repair during periods of bad weather.
A complementary project is underway to identify the best beach management options for Torcross. Even with this sea defence, parts of Torcross remain at a high risk of flooding from the sea. High risk means that each year this area is at significant risk of flooding during storms due to waves.
South Hams District Council is creating a Torcoss and Slapton Beach Management Plan on behalf of The Slapton Line Partnership, to which the Environment Agency will contribute.
Alan Denbigh, Chair of the Slapton Line Partnership, said:
“Together we hope to identify the best long-term beach management options to reduce the impact of storms at Torcoss.”
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