Millions for storm-hit roads and flood prevention

More than £5.5m has been pledged for fixing roads battered by winter storms and trying to protect communities from future flooding.

There has been a surge in the number of potholes reported according to Devon County Council which is also looking at how to protect villages like Slapton and Torcross where the coastal road was destroyed by the sea.

Dozens of homes were flooded across Devon in a series of storms and prolonged bad weather that hit the region in early 2026.

The county council said it would spend £2.7m on flood investigation and prevention work and an extra £3m on fixing potholes and dealing with other winter storm damage to the county's highways.

The county council said the frequency and strength of storms and flood damage "highlighted the growing impact of intense rainfall linked to climate change".

It said it wanted to "invest in flood prevention, resilience and investigations" with projects and studies in Exeter, Exmouth, Totnes, Cullompton, Barnstaple, Kenton, Westward Ho! and Tavistock alongside work across the county on drainage maintenance, water quality and preparing communities.

The council said a central part of the plan was investment in "tailored protection such as flood doors and barriers for homes most at risk".

Jacqi Hodgson, cabinet member for climate change, said: "The flooding we experienced this winter showed just how vulnerable many communities already are and we face increased risk of devastating storms.

"This action plan is about learning from those events and investing in practical measures that reduce risk, protect homes and help communities become more resilient as our climate continues to change."

The number of reported potholes in February 2026 was 9,700 according to Devon County Council - 90% higher than the same period in 2025.

The council said the extra £3m was needed to "respond to increased demand for pothole repairs, winter gritting and storm recovery work following storms Goretti, Ingrid and Chandra".

It added that money included "emergency works to protect coastal properties at Slapton, Torcross and Beesands".

The council is working with the government on trying to find a way of fixing the A379 between Torcross and Slapton that was washed away.

With about 8,000 miles (12,875km) of roads to maintain, Devon County Council is responsible for one of the largest highways networks managed by a local authority in the country.

The council said it had already increased its highways maintenance budget by £6m this year to £36m and would be spending more than £100m on infrastructure projects to try to prevent future problems on the county's roads.

James Buczkowski, the council's cabinet member for finance, said periods of severe weather would "inevitably take their toll".

He said: "Maintaining Devon's roads is essential for residents, businesses and rural communities who rely on them every day.

"This additional funding will help us respond to the pressures of winter while continuing to increase investment in the years ahead."

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