New Coastal road gets under way
Just over a year after the storms which took away the Slapton Line, the new road at Slapton Sands is open. The new road will now replace the temporary single-track carriageway which was hurriedly constructed in April of last year.
The official group huddles together, in deteriorating weather conditions, during the ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of the new road.

During the ceremony, cars were still able to use the one-way system, with lights, which had coped adequately during a summer season depleted of many visitors due to the restrictions which were imposed because of foot and mouth cases north of the South Hams

Construction took a little longer than the estimated five weeks, mainly due to poor weather conditions. 

We're off - and the first official car drives down the new road

The original 'new'  road, to the right of the picture, can still be seen in the background.
The road is expected to last at least five years which will allow time for the investigation of a more permanent long-term solution.
Just in time - The ceremony is over and the weather turns nasty with a hail-stone flurry from nowhere.

The first solitary car to use the road from the Slapton end after the ceremony, drives virtually unnoticed past the remains of the monument plinth and flag posts, also damaged during the storms.