Heavy machinery has arrived at Torcross ahead of a major sea defence scheme, with construction teams waiting for the arrival of rock armour by boat before work can get fully under way.

Four diggers and two large dump trucks have been seen on site, while some of the smaller rocks are already being put into position.

The £19.8 million Environment Agency scheme is intended to protect Torcross from further storm damage following the destruction of sections of the Slapton Line and Tank car park earlier this year.

However, the timing of the next stage remains dependent on sea conditions, with concerns that forecast strong winds could delay the arrival of the barges carrying the largest rocks.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has granted the licence for the works, with local mariners and fishing organisations notified that construction is due to start on October 23.

Darren Norman, Kier’s project manager for the scheme, will also act as fisheries liaison officer throughout the works.

A representative of Coastal Research said it was disappointing that the delivery had already slipped beyond the original October 17 deadline, when the sea had been calmer.

Looking ahead to the forecast, the representative said further delays were possible if conditions deteriorated.

The Environment Agency has said almost 90,000 tonnes of rock and other material will be used in the project - with just under 60,000 tonnes of the larger rock armour due to arrive by sea, with a further 30,000 tonnes of smaller material transported by road.

The works will also reinstate damaged defences at the Tank car park and extend the slipway.

While the arrival of equipment has offered a visible sign of progress after months of uncertainty, questions remain about the long-term effectiveness of the chosen approach.

The Coastal Research representative raised concerns about placing rock armour on top of shingle, describing the method as “unusual” because of the movement of the underlying material.

The representative questioned whether the scheme amounted to a short-term solution compared with alternative approaches, suggesting cost and speed may have influenced the decision.

For residents and businesses within Torcross, the prospect of work beginning has been largely welcomed, with hopes that the defences will reduce the risk of further damage to homes, businesses and the shoreline.

Although some concerns have been raised around the pressures put on rural highways due to the heavy and frequent truck loads, locals are pleased to see progress finally being made.

But the fate of the Slapton Line remains a wider concern. The road’s closure has disrupted journeys across the area, affecting an estimated 10,000 people, with communities continuing to face uncertainty over when a lasting solution will be in place.

A submission has been put to central government requesting financial support to repair the road, but there is currently no deadline in place for a response.