Part of Devon’s A379 coastal road washes away following storms
Devon County Council highways teams are assessing the damage at Slapton
Last updated 4th Feb 2026
A 200-metre section of Devon’s scenic A379 coastal road connecting Torcross and Slapton has been washed away after storms hit the area.
Images and video footage of the scene show a public car park also disappeared into the sea overnight after damage to sea defences caused by last month’s storms.
Devon County Council has estimated the cost of repairs could reach "tens of millions of pounds".
Highways Teams have been assessing the damage on the road at Slapton and further investigations now also need be carried out on the full extent of the road between Torcross and Strete Gate.
The same road was previously damaged during Storm Emma in March 2018 and reopened later that year after extensive repair work.
This stretch of the A379, which runs between a lake and the sea, is a key route linking Torcross with the town of Dartmouth.
Devon County Council leader Julian Brazil said:
"It's devastating for the local community, and our priority is the families whose lives and livelihoods are directly affected by this.”
"The route is not looking good and we're likely to be looking at tens of millions of pounds to repair it.
"The county can't afford to rebuild the road and we're desperately looking for help from Government."
Julian Brazil, the council’s chief executive Donna Manson, and South Devon MP Caroline Voaden travelled to Westminster on Tuesday (February 3) to urge the Government to provide more funding for Devon's roads.
Ms Voaden said the road washing away was "absolutely devastating" and "the news we've all been dreading".
She continued: "One of my team is on the ground now and said the force of the waves is shaking the road. It is terrifying.
"I am doing everything I can to support the local community and businesses, including urgently trying to secure a meeting with the Department for Transport.
"Before this disaster, I had been calling for far greater government support for coastal communities being battered by more intense and frequent storms.
"Today those calls take on an even greater resonance.
"The Environment Agency is visiting the area today and I will be doing all I can in Westminster to get the significant help needed from the Government."
The owners of the Start Bay Inn in Torcross posted on Facebook: "It's a mess, like a bomb has gone off.? We are heartbroken."
"It's a mess, like a bomb has gone off.? We are heartbroken."
The Government has been approached for a comment.
Named storms Goretti, Ingrid and Chandra brought heavy rain to many parts of the UK, particularly the South West, causing widespread travel disruption and flooding.