Timeline of the Slapton Sands Storms
For decades, the A379 "Slapton Line" has been a fragile bridge between the sea and the Ley. Through the lens of digital creator Kevin Hare, we’ve watched the heartbreaking transition from a storm warning to a total loss.
Here is the story of the collapse, told through Kevin’s updates.
23 January: "Hanging On by a Thread"
The warning signs arrived early. Kevin captured the first signs of real trouble with footage of a "storm brewing" even at low water.
“Slapton Hanging On by a Thread #stormIngrid #StormChandra. Wind warnings have now been issued. Some more footage of the storm brewing...” 📹 Video: Waves surging against the shingle bank at low tide.
29 January: Secrets Unearthed
By the end of the month, the erosion was so severe that the beach began revealing its hidden history. The natural "buffer" of shingle that protected the A379 was being stripped away at an alarming rate.
“Slapton Sands Secrets Unearthed. I was exploring #SlaptonSands today and my finds tell an incredible, secret WWII story. Every piece is a silent witness...”
4 February: "End of the Line"
Following the catastrophic overnight storms on February 2nd—which saw a 200-metre section of the highway and the Torcross "Tank" car park collapse into the sea—Kevin returned to deliver the definitive verdict for the community.
“It's gone, end of the line...” 📍 Location: Dartmouth/Torcross
5 February: The Aftermath
This morning, the reality of the permanent landscape change set in. The road now ends in a jagged, 15-foot vertical drop where the highway once stood.
“Walked #Slapton Sands this morning and the devastation is hard to process...”