Rock Armour Protection Works to Hollicombe Cliff

Hollicombe Head is a sandstone cliff located in Paignton between Hollicombe and Marine Parade. In the mid 1800’s to the rear of the cliff the main railway line between Paignton and London was constructed. Over the years due to the cliff being exposed to the full force of easterly storm events, coastal erosion has been occurring. The rate of coastal erosion has varied along the length of the cliffs and due to the risk of the railway being lost in the 1950’s rock armouring was installed as coastal protection to a large section of the cliffs behind Hollicombe beach. A section of the cliffs did not receive rock armouring at this time and it is this section of cliffs that is now eroding significantly. In order to prevent the continued regression of the cliff face the toe protection scheme in the form of rock armour is required.