Beach closed due to dangerous access

Watcombe Beach at Torquay has been affected by storms.

The sheltered cove is reached by a steep road from a public car park off the main coastal road between Torquay and Teignmouth.

One route follows the access road past houses, another takes visitors on a footpath through a wooded area known as the Valley of the Rocks.

Steps above the beach lead to a promenade with another set down onto the beach.

The upper steps appear to have become broken up by the effect of rain and storms.

The road surface has also been damaged by ground movement.

A sign on the road leading to the beach says: “The path and steps to Watcombe Beach have become unsafe due to land movement and erosion.

“Therefore access to the beach is closed at the point where this path joins the coastal footpath.”

Another sign above the beach warns the public “not to venture beyond this point”.

Photographs published on Facebook by Torbay Council show the concrete steps have become broken and uneven.

A statement said: “Please be aware, the steps at Watcombe Beach have been deemed unsafe by our Public Safety Team and should not be used. Signage is in situ to tell people of the danger.”

Part of the promenade near a cafe building has also been damaged by storms in recent years, with debris falling onto the beach below.

Dogs are allowed all year round on the sandy beach which has a rating of 3.5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor.

The circular bay is surrounded by cliffs and wooded hillsides.

Visitors say it is quiet and good for dog-walking and families, with one describing it as having a “wild charm”.

But one visitor in August 2019 rated it as poor after finding the cafe and toilets closed.

The toilets are listed as open from May to September.

Torbay Council Cabinet member Swithin Long said in a comment on the council’s Facebook page that a public meeting was being arranged to discuss the options for the beach.