Clean-up after ‘devastating’ storm wreaks havoc

A major clean-up is under way after a “devastating” storm battered coastal towns and villages.

Storm Ingrid lashed Devon and Cornwall on Saturday – with huge waves causing damage to a sea wall next to the main railway line into the region, washing away a historic pier and hitting homes in a beauty spot.

Network Rail said a limited service was now operating in Dawlish following an inspection of “safety-critical” parts of the track after the sea wall collapsed in two places.

Gail Stubbs, from Torcross, which was badly hit, said: “It is devastating. I don’t think it has been hit like this before – even in the 70s. There’s only a couple of houses that haven’t been damaged.”

Network Rail had issued a black alert, its highest warning level, for only the second time since a storm destroyed sections of the track around Dawlish in February 2014.

James Crook, from Network Rail, said debris on the track had been cleared despite “pretty trying conditions” and speed restrictions were in place causing delays.

“We’ve had a lot of people out on track in some pretty trying conditions,” he said.

“It might take a little bit longer than normal.

“The priority is making sure we can get things back up and normal for Monday.”

He said there were a number of issues on the track, including ballast which had washed away.

“There will be some work going on throughout the week,” he said.

“It was not only the heavy wind and the rain, it was also the high tide on Friday evening.

“All of those things combining together had a strong impact on the railway.”

In Torcross, in the South Hams, the damage is “really upsetting” for many, said Stubbs, the landlady of the Start Bay Inn.

She said waves were crashing over homes, and that the storm was worse than a bad one experienced in January 1979.

“There’s a lot of structural damage – there’s only a couple that haven’t been structurally damaged,” she said.

“It’s really upsetting and very frustrating.

“We’re really, really vulnerable.”

She added: “The beach level is so low. Without boulders, I think the next storm could be even worse.

“The pub is still shaking, which is what happens when the shingle gets washed away.”

She said the A379 coastal road north to Dartmouth had been undermined and work was ongoing to reopen it.

“This will take a long time to recover from,” she said.

In Teignmouth, part of a Victorian pier washed away as the seafront was battered by waves.

Teignmouth Pier’s owners said it had been a “dreadful night” while the town’s mayor said it was “sad” sight.

“It has survived many weather conditions as well as world wars,” said mayor Cate Williams.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service said they rescued a delivery driver who was trapped in his van in about 2ft (0.6m) of floodwater near Liskeard.

Great Western Railway spokesman James Davis said the storm left “significant debris” on a two-mile (3.2km) section of the Dawlish track.

“If you’re travelling further afield there is a limited bus replacement service operating,” he said.

“Really do consider if your journey is necessary.”