COUNCILLORS have paid tribute to the clean-up crews who mopped up after the South Devon coast was badly hit by recent storms.

Storm Ingrid brought 12-foot waves and gale-force winds, and the end section of Teignmouth’s 150-year-old pier was washed away.

A section of the sea wall protecting the main railway line at Dawlish collapsed, while railings and flower beds were damaged, paving slabs were lifted and a large hole appeared in the seafront path at Teignmouth where part of the sea wall fell away.

A number of beach huts were damaged, the sea wall footpath was closed and some rail services were suspended or delayed.

Cllr John Nutley told a meeting of Teignbridge Council’s overview and scrutiny committee that council staff had responded quickly to the emergency.

Cllr Nutley, the council’s executive member for leisure and recreation, said the damage to the pier had been ‘devastating’, while damage caused in other parts of Teignmouth and Dawlish was ‘staggering’.

‘I cannot praise our teams enough for the work they have done,’ he said. ‘Thank you to all of them for all the work they do – and continue to do – for residents and visitors.’