Waves

A number of towns and villages on the south coast of Devon have been particularly affected over the years by the power of the sea. In February 2014 the Dawlish railway line was extensively damaged. In 1917 most of the village of Hallsands was washed away. Sidmouth, in East Devon has always been vulnerable to the sea. The lower town is below sea level and to prevent flooding extensive sea defences have been built. The red marl cliffs on either side of the town are being undemined by the sea and regularly see landslips that colour the sea red. This shot today shows part of the beach defences and the colour of the sea.