It is very encouraging and heartening to see that a more positive attitude to defending the area from the sea has been adopted by the authorities.

Witness the recent professional repair work at Torcross anticipating future problems and the current response to the recent storm damage.

Could it mean that protecting the Line and the A379 is finally taking priority over any thoughts of allowing nature to ‘take its course.’?

If this is the case, will a hard defence system now be considered viable and, if so, what would be the most effective to solve the long-term problem?

In 2002, when the Line was previously threatened, local residents formed the Slapton Line Defence Group to establish what had been the most successful defence system in the past and what might work in the future. It became clear that concrete walls and boulders used over the years as beach defences were costly and ineffective without constant attention.

However, sheet piling at the north and south ends of Torcross village penetrating into the deep stable beach had survived effectively without maintenance for over 30 years before the village itself was saved by further sheet piling and a sea wall support in 1980. Consequently a plan promoting the idea of sheet piling the whole line was submitted to the authorities for consideration in 2002.

Unfortunately it was put aside at that time but hopefully, with the recent developments there may be a change of heart. This being the case, steel piling the Line should be considered an answer and one that might well secure the Line for another 30 years.

Regarding the politics and the economics of saving the Line or letting it go, it is worth pointing out that the cries to save it and protect the area may have come first from a group of residents most affected at the time but the response that followed the appeal produced 13,500 signatures of support.

A clear message if one was needed that saving this area is close to the hearts of so many.

Laurie Emberson

Harefield Drive, Stoke Fleming