Tinsey Head Coastal Erosion

Every Mile Matters because the SWCP is at the forefront of the battle with climate change

Erosion resulting from storm damage opened up a fault line running nearly 20m into a coastal field. The damage included loss of a section of the South West Coast Path National Trail which fell into the sea.

This cliff collapse happened soon after Storm Jorge - the fifth named storm of the 2019/2020 season, which brought strong winds and heavy rain across the UK from 28 February to 1 March 2020.

In addition to the direct impact on the Path, the fault line meant that more of the coastal field was at significant risk of collapse.

What we did

The Association worked in partnership with the National Trust (as landowner) and Devon County Council (as highway authority) to create a new route for the South West Coast Path, to the landward side of the collapse and fault line.

New fencing was needed to define the route because the hazard is not immediately obvious to walkers and because of the risk of subsequent cliff falls. This fencing will also help with management of grazing to look after and enhance the diverse coastal grassland habitat.

The Association initially funded 100% of the cost to bring in a local contractor to complete the new fencing. Our local partner, Totnes Ramblers have kindly agreed to provide the money for this from their Franklin Legacy Fund.

How it helped

This new alignment for the South West Coast Path means that walkers and runners can now keep a safe distance from the eroding cliff edge, whilst still enjoying the stunning coastal views which form part of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Management through grazing will help sustain and increase the wildflowers, insects and birds.

Additional cliff falls are likely in this location, and so this project is very important in providing a long term future for the Path - without this type of work, the Coast Path is at significant risk of having to be diverted onto local roads and inland Rights of Way.

Provision of funding was especially important as the National Trust have been seriously impacted financially by the coronavirus pandemic, and so their capacity for improvement projects is extremely restricted.