SEA THREAT TO VILLAGE

Evening Star, Issue 21005, 20 January 1932, Page 11

SEA THREAT TO VILLAGE

SAND USED FOR DOCKYARD Thirty years ago tens of thousands of tons or sand and shingle were taken from the vicinity of Hallsands, an old world fishing village on the South Devon coast, for use in the extension of Devonport Dockyard, for which vast quantities of concrete were required. Ever since the fisher folk have attributed to this fact periodical ravages of the sea upon the coast. Cliffs have been undermined, roads destroyed, and old Hallsands virtually swept away. A new village was later built in a position regarded as immune from attack and a sea Avail constructed, but still the sea has encroached on other parts, and during tho recent gales has completed the erosive damage by making a break in the road betiveen the villages of Inner and Outer Hope Cove. Largo portions of the cliff have been torn away, making the road unusable, and a detour of five miles has to bo made'to get from one point to the other. About thirty yards of concrete and rock have been torn from the sea Avail, which is in danger of being swept away. The doors of tho lifeboat station were battered in and pits scooped out in a neighbouring road for a distance of thirty feet. The village itself is in danger.