Worry over damage to sand dunes

English Nature says permanent damage to the dunes is unlikely

More than half of the sand dunes in a Devon resort have been severely damaged by last week's storms.

The naturally-occurring dunes in Exmouth are seen as one of the town's best defences against the elements.

But a large area has been washed away after a pounding by the storm-force winds and exceptionally high tides.

Exmouth Mayor, Councillor Trevor Cope, visited the sand dunes on Sunday and says the damage is the worst he has seen for 20 years.

The sand and marram grass is the town's first and best defence and much of it has gone in the storms Councillor Trevor Cope, Exmouth Mayor

Storm-force winds battered coastal towns across Devon and Cornwall on Tuesday and Wednesday, with high tides and winds combining to create flooding in coastal areas.

In Cornwall there was flooding in Penzance, Looe, Falmouth, Flushing and Cawsand, whilst the seafronts at Torquay, Paignton, Exmouth and Sidmouth in Devon were all closed because of high waves and debris.

Mr Cope says without the famous sand dunes, Exmouth has very little defence from the sea.

He told BBC News Online: "What's happened is very worrying.

"The sand and marram grass is the town's first and best defence and much of it has gone in the storms.

"I can't quite work out where all the sand has gone, but my concern is for the rest of the town, some of which is below sea level.

"I'm also worried about Smeaton's wall. Although it wasn't damaged, the beams are now exposed and appear to be rotting.

"If that gets hit by another storm, the town could be in real trouble."

Mr Cope says he will be asking East Devon District Council, which is responsible for the dunes, to liaise with the Environment Agency to work out the best strategy as quickly as possible.

Natural recovery

Some local residents fear the dunes may not recover, but a spokesman for English Nature, says the dunes are unlikely to have been damaged permanently.

Ray Franklin, the portfolio holder for environment at East Devon District Council says steps are already being taken to repair the damage to the town's sea wall.

He says the damage to the dunes, caused by the worst storms for over 20 years, will be repaired naturally.

Mr Franklin said: "The dunes will recover - it's the way of nature.

"Sand has been lost, but it's likely that the next storm will come from a different direction and bring more sand with it."