By Peter Omopo
A powerful storm has caused widespread damage across parts of Devon and Cornwall, washing away sections of a historic pier and crippling rail services after a key sea wall collapsed.
Part of Teignmouth Grand Pier was destroyed overnight as Storm Ingrid lashed the south-west coast with violent waves and strong winds. Teignmouth Mayor, Cate Williams, said the town had “taken a real battering,” describing the waves as “just wild” as they tore through the pier, which dates back to 1867.
“It’s sad to see part of the pier missing,” Williams said, noting that the structure had survived decades of harsh weather and even world wars before succumbing to the latest storm.
Nearby in Dawlish, a sea wall protecting the main railway line was severely damaged, forcing the suspension of train services between Exeter St Davids and Plymouth. Residents reported dramatic scenes as waves crashed over the tracks and sections of the wall crumbled.
Local resident Peter Large said a stretch of about 80 to 90 feet of the wall had collapsed, leaving the railway exposed to the sea. Network Rail issued its highest-level black alert on Friday after waves measuring up to 12 feet hit the coastline—only the second such alert since the devastating Dawlish storms of 2014.
Martin Wrigley, Liberal Democrat MP for Newton Abbot, described the railway as a “crucial lifeline” for the south-west and said the damage highlighted the need for further investment to protect the route.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain, while the Environment Agency confirmed flood warnings are in place along parts of the south Devon and south Cornwall coasts.
Elsewhere in Devon, properties were damaged in the seaside village of Torcross, where residents described scenes of devastation. In Exmouth, vehicles became trapped in sand drifts along the seafront, while fallen trees were reported across the region, including one blocking the A377 near Lapford.
In Cornwall, waves overtopped sea walls in Penzance, and a café in Falmouth suffered significant damage after doors were blown in and electrics failed.
Great Western Railway said services would remain suspended until at least Saturday evening, with passengers advised to avoid travel as engineers assess the damage and clear debris from the tracks.
Emergency services and local authorities continue to monitor the situation as Storm Ingrid moves through the region, leaving coastal communities counting the cost of another night of extreme weather.
