A new analysis of the Slapton barrier beach system, UK

This paper presents the findings of a new coastal processes study at Slapton Sands, south Devon, UK. This work was commissioned as part of a major new study to assess the likely future barrier beach stability. The study followed a major beach erosion event in January 2001, which caused a collapse of the main road that runs along the top of the shingle barrier beach. This barrier beach has been the subject of many previous studies, which are concisely summarised in the literature review section. The paper then presents new data and analyses of the coastal processes over both geological and contemporary time-scales. The paper concludes that the cause of the 2001 erosion event was a combination of prolonged storm attack and differential long-shore transport, causing cut-back of both the cross-shore profile and the mean shoreline position. It was further found that overtopping is likely to occur about once in five years but that a major breach event is unlikely to occur within the next 30 to 50 years. Thereafter, with no intervention measures and expected rates of sea level rise, it is anticipated that the barrier beach will eventually be breached, forming tidal inlets.