South Devon community comes together to tackle storm damage

The track from the village of South Huish to the National Trust car park at South Milton Sands in South Devon is now open again following a dynamic response from the local community.

The devastating Valentine’s Day storm destroyed the track and around two thirds of the sand dunes. Boardwalks and fencing were also torn up and the beach was littered with debris. The beach was still accessible from the village of South Milton but not from neighbouring South Huish.

Following the storm, the National Trust held a meeting with key stakeholders to discuss the damage and hear concerns from the community. Countryside Manager Richard Snow explains:

‘It was clear that there was strength of feeling from the local community that the track needed to be reinstated. The damage was severe and sudden; and losing this access affected local farmers, residents and visitors. We would like to thank Robert Rogers, Tom Darke, Eric Stidston, the Rock Apartments, Devon County Council’s Councillor Rufus Gilbert, key representatives from the local community and local contractor Rodney Stidston, who carried out the work. Their swift action and financial support enabled us to reinstate the track in a very short timescale.’

A new pedestrian boardwalk from the car park to the beach has been laid ready for the Easter holidays and additional repair work to the slipway is planned for later this month. Richard Snow concludes:

‘We have to recognise that, with more severe storms and high tides forecast, coastal change is something that we will need to accept and adapt to. We will be working with the local people to develop a sustainable, longer term solution to coastal change in this area.’

The damage at South Milton Sands has recently featured on a special BBC One programme ‘The Storms That Shook The South West’ with presenter Sam Smith. This programme is currently available to view on BBC iplayer.