Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Reality time for Torcross

Graham - the Tank is shaken not stirred amid the current furrore ;

My view ;-

If you read your history well you will know that the Ley has mostly been Salt water throughout it’s existence. It was only when for human enjoyment/convenience that an artificial barrier was built. Nature is only reverting back to it’s starting point. To fight nature is pure folly you only ever end up with a bloodied nose and humungeous debt. Time to face reality folks. 🙏🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧 It was good whilst we borrowed it from her by brute force and ignorance. Scientifically the reversion will prove to be a great source of information and study for the scientist in the country. A boom for the Field Study Centre I imagine is on the way.. Unfortunately it is inherent within the human make up to take things for granted and grab what you want - not what nature needs. Not meant to offend any businesses or real locals here but a reality check and I wish you all the luck in the world in adapting to this new small challenge in whatever form it may be presented. This change needs to be embraced as a new opportunity for new kinds of educational and informative businesses not fish and chip shops and ice cream parlours, it's an elevation in status is the bottom line. I well remember Fastnet and said to my wife this road will vanish and reversion will take place in our lifetime, I didn't think it would come quite so fast though.


For context
19th Century Development

Coastal Changes: The ley formed a barrier between the lagoon and the sea, influenced by natural processes and human intervention. The construction of roads and establishments began to take shape in the 1800s.
Tourism Growth: The picturesque surroundings drew tourists, leading to the growth of local inns and accommodation.

Often these waterside properties are bought by holiday home investors or companies to let as summer homes and many of those at Torcross are badly damaged. When justifying inflated prices for such homes for the local community and younger family buyer, their distress would be far greater than that of a company or second home owner. Now that the future of the road beside the Ley is in doubt the value of properties here will be slightly less than what it was last year.

It will be one hell of a drive from the Dart side if the road goes. I guess via Kingsbridge.
But I can remember the sea wiping out the war memorial and damaging the road over the years.

As kids we went clambering over the half ruined houses of what remained of Hallsands the village next door wiped out by eroison due to the Navy taking shingle to build Devonport dockyard & a storm in 1917 wiping it out. Last time I took my kids I'm guessing 20 years ago it was nearly all gone.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallsands

We have had fabulous days at Torcross, and walking around the nature reserve at the Ley, around the village. There was an old weather-beaten attendant on the Torcross car park, and we got to know him well. Eventually a ticket machine appeared which didn't want to chat.

Slapton Ley empties onto the beach through what looks to have been part of a WW2 bunker, but you have to climb the stairs by the Hotel and drop down the other side. Over the years, the exit of water changes drastically. Sometimes completely covered with shingle, other times a twelve feet drop into a clear pool big enough to swim in.If a lot of shingle is gone, that will be spectacular now.

We also did Hallsands a few times and the walk over to Start Point Lighthouse, which is an easy ramble.

Those Torcross houses were once gems, I doubt now that they can be insured or sold, and really its a matter of time before they are abandoned. It's a shame because the sea wall there was intended to protect that row of bulidings. When we first went there, there was no sea wall, the narrow access road in front of the houses was at beach level.

It's time they abandoned the road, and maybe consider a new route, inland of the Ley, although the terrrain is very hilly. Throwing money at the old road won't stop the inevitable, and to build a sea wall the whole length of that beach would be astronomical.

So we will keep our memories of family days on the shingle, clear blue sky and a barmy breeze, with breaking waves in the background.........

Had Brunel got permission to bridge the Dart, one of his plans was to run the railway along Slapton beach. much like he did between Marazion and Penzance. Ironically if that had been done, it may have lasted a lot longer, but totally changed the village, like it did at Dawlish................

Well: it's an ill wind etc etc ... Maybe a little more privacy for the naturists up the other end, if there's nowhere for through traffic to go!

A capsule..

History of Salinity at Slapton Ley
Slapton Ley is a unique freshwater lake situated behind the shingle beach of Slapton Sands in Devon, England. This coastal environment is notable for its complex interactions between freshwater and seawater, particularly its history concerning salinity levels.

Historical Context
Slapton Ley is the largest natural lake in South Devon and has undergone significant changes over time, particularly affecting its salinity. Historical records suggest that the lake was originally more saline due to periodic flooding by the sea. The construction of the shingle barrier from marine sediment over centuries gradually transformed the body of water into a predominantly freshwater lake.

Salinity Changes Over Time
Natural Fluctuations: Historically, salinity levels fluctuated depending on tide cycles and seasonal weather patterns. During storm surges or heavy rainfall, seawater could infiltrate the Ley, temporarily increasing its salinity.
Human Impact: The establishment of local infrastructure and agricultural practices has also influenced salinity levels. Changes to land use around the Ley and nearby drainage systems can alter water flow and thus salinity.
Ecosystem Adaptation: Various aquatic species in Slapton Ley have adapted to changes in salinity. The interaction between freshwater species and occasional saline influx leads to a unique brackish ecosystem that supports diverse flora and fauna.
Current Salinity Trends
Recent discussions and studies indicate that with rising sea levels driven by climate change, Slapton Ley faces increased risks of salinization. Storm surges and heavy rainfall patterns may increase the amount of saltwater entering the lake, affecting its ecological health and the species that rely on its freshwater system.

Erosion and Sea-Level Rise: Predictive models suggest that sea levels may rise significantly, which could result in more frequent salinity changes. Over the past few decades, observable shifts in local climate patterns have raised concerns about the long-term viability of this ecosystem.
The management of Slapton Ley is critical not just for the biodiversity it supports but also as a case study in how coastal ecosystems can be monitored and preserved amid changing environmental conditions. Understanding its historical salinity impacts provides valuable insight into future conservation efforts and ecological resilience.

The aroma around Pilchard Cove somehow never appealed to me.

I went to the Voaden Brazil crisis meeting this morning with a couple of good friends and SF to Stokenham Village Hall took 50 Mins, 10Mins could be gained here as the King of Prussia corner site was flooded seriously (has been overwhelmed and shut for 2 weeks) due inadequate drainage systems plus high incoming and wind driven water does this frequently thus enabling a 20 Minute delay /diversion in town. This contrived to make the journey tiresome when also stuck behind a trekker and trailer from Kingsbridge to Stokenham.

The meeting was the normal political cobblers giving people false hopes for the future and not having the balls to say it's game over and out - bloody whimps.

So the decision has been taken to spend 20 Million on the protection of mostly second homes at Torcross and a couple of small teashops/ice cream vendors and a pub.

Rock armour for the elitists.

We will be in exactly the same situation within 5 years and the idiot will say what.

The best result is that they appeared to have listened to reason and the breach will be left to ovewelm the shingle road/bank and the lake will once again begin it's long historic reversion to salt and freshwater cycle.

This alone will bring tens more thousand of visitors to watch the process and they should embrace it and prepare now for the influx..

Good excuse to go for an ice cream!