Western Morning News (Saturday)
Sea snatches sand from the base of pier – then throws it back
THE power of the sea driven by strong onshore winds caused concern for a time for the future of a popular Devon beach.
Storm Darcy washed away the sand and exposed the bottom of the piles beneath the pier at Teignmouth. Many said they had never seen the sand so low in a generation – although others predicted that it would wash back in with the changing tides and wind direction.
And overnight the famous red sands were driven back up the beach and yesterday were sitting up to 4ft higher than the day before.
Tina McCammon, who photographed the beach, said: “I guess the sea does repair itself. Looks like nothing ever happened.”
A spokesman for Teignbridge Council said: “The beach is a naturally dynamic system where large quantities of sand can and do get moved during storms, resulting in some areas seeing an increase and others a fall in the height of the beach.
“We are aware of the impact of the recent weather and are working with the Environment Agency in regard to the main sea wall and defences.
“The piles under the pier are in the first instance the responsibility of the private owner. Through social media our resorts team has advised beach walkers to be careful given that rocks, rubble and metal work has been exposed on the beach.”
The forecast is for a change in wind direction, with weather coming in from the warmer westerly direction over the weekend, but there are still warnings of gales, heavy rain and even sleet or snow for a time although the freezing conditions of the past week are easing, at least for a time, forecasters say.
MARITIME rescuers are urging even people who live by the sea to avoid taking unnecessary risks on the water next week, warning that every rescue puts extra pressure on 999 services.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) echoed the messages put out by police and tourist leaders about the need to keep to the lockdown rules over the school half-term holiday.
The charity pointed out that every time a lifeboat crew is called to an incident, it puts additional pressure on RNLI volunteers and other front-line emergency services as well as potentially exposing them to Covid-19.
Joel Ninnes, RNLI Water Safety Coordinator, said: “The school holiday will look very different this year, but for those able to use the coast for exercise, we would urge them to familiarise themselves with local risks and be as safe as possible and not put unnecessary strain on front line services.”
The RNLI and HM Coastguard have launched a winter coastal safety campaign to highlight the dangers of stormy seas, changing tides and unstable cliffs.