Future of popular beach near Torquay in doubt after landslides and cliff falls

A public meeting has been called over the future of one of Devon's most popular beaches after a series of landslips washed away most of the road and steps which lead to it.

Access to Watcombe Beach, near Torquay, has been gradually deteriorating for some time but recent storm damage and coastal erosion has led the local authority to declare the beach off-limits.

Torbay Council's public safety team says the steps down to the beach are now unsafe.

Photos and video of the beach reveal the extent of the damage.

The steps are barely navigable and the service road to the cafe is impassable.

Pieces of concrete and tarmac have exposed gaps of more than a foot wide in places.

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There has been public outcry over the way the once thriving beach has been allowed to fall into disrepair.

Local councillor Swithin Long says the combination of global warming, coastal erosion and central government cutbacks means tough decisions have to be made by the community.

The public meeting will be held at the Medway Centre in Medway Road, Barton on Friday March 27 at 7pm.