‘You can't resist the sea’: evolving attitudes and responses to coastal erosion at Slapton, South Devon

ABSTRACT

In 2000–2001 the coastal shingle ridge at Slapton Ley was damaged by wave erosion, severing the road link which runs along the ridge, and threatening a National Nature Reserve. Surveys of local attitudes towards this event revealed environmental meanings relating to narratives about nature and a sense of place. There were also discourses about responsibility for policies and actions. As well as predictably different initial responses from interest groups, there was considerable subsequent evolution and negotiation of views. This study provides an insight into the ongoing human responses to contemporary coastal erosion.