Rolf Burnie suggests a railway line beside the A379 as a ­solution to returning tonnes of shingle, carried by longshore drift, back from whence it came.

If the Rev W Awdry was still writing stories to entertain ­children with Thomas the Tank Engine’s brave exploits, this suggestion might have some merit.

As it is, storms that hit our fragile coast are more frequent, more severe, occurring earlier in autumn than previously and continuing later into spring.

The damage and undercut to the road and car park are ­obvious, with turf and debris hurled as far as Slapton Bridge, sometimes blocking the A road with drifts of shingle.

A light railway line would not survive an extreme high tide, let alone a storm. Imagine the resulting tangle of metal and littering of rusting nails – worse even than ‘leaves on the line’.

Both sides of the A379 are an integral part of the Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve, Heritage Coast and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. These designations are there for a purpose. And long may they be respected.

Jean Mooney

Brook Street

Slapton