Major repairs have begun on a Devon footpath and cycle path battered by Storms Bert, Bram and Chandra.
The three storms in 2024, 2025 and 2026 destroyed parts of the embankment bordering the Stover Canal near Kingsteignton. Millions of tonnes of water poured into a disused quarry, which prevented the deluge from causing flooding in Newton Abbot.
Now work has begun to repair the damage, and the paths could be open by the autumn.
The embankment alongside the old Sibelco quarry at East Golds was first breached during severe flooding from Storm Bert in November 2024, with further damage caused by Storm Bram in December 2025 and Storm Chandra earlier this year.
The incidents destroyed a 40-metre section of the embankment, causing flooding into the quarry and forcing the closure of a section of the Stover Canal trail path and shared cycle route between Newton Abbot and Exeter Road.
Sibelco has now begun a programme of repairs developed in consultation with geotechnical specialists and working closely with partners including the Stover Canal Trust, the Environment Agency, Teignbridge Council and Devon County Council.
Around 6,000 tonnes of ball clay will be used to rebuild the damaged section of embankment, combined with imported limestone and a specialist membrane to help protect the structure against future extreme weather events.
Subject to suitable weather, the repairs are expected to be completed over the summer, with the canal towpath and its walking and cycling routes scheduled to reopen by October.
During the storms millions of tonnes of water flowed into Sibelco’s former East Golds quarry from neighbouring land via a tributary of the River Lemon. In November 2024 alone, about one million tonnes of water entered the site.
While this led to damage to the embankment and surrounding infrastructure, including the nearby old railway embankment and canal towpath, it also meant that large volumes of water were temporarily held within the quarry rather than continuing unchecked downstream.
A Devon County Council report following the November 2024 incident said having the water held within the quarry may have prevented more extreme flooding downstream in Newton Abbot.
Richard Giles, Kingsteignton Manager (Operations) for Sibelco, said: “We know how important the Stover Canal towpath is to the local community and we are pleased to have started work on this scheme to reinstate the embankment to allow the reopening of the route.
“This has been a complex process following a series of significant flooding events and we have worked closely with specialist engineers and our partners locally to develop a robust, long-term solution. We look forward to the completion of the works and seeing the route reopened for local people to enjoy again.”
And Paul Taper, chairman of the Stover Canal Trust, added: “We have been pleased to work with Sibelco and other partners following the storm damage and recognise the long-standing support Sibelco has provided to the trust and the canal over many years.
“The towpath is a much-loved local route, valued by walkers and residents, and we welcome the work now under way to repair the embankment and reopen access for the community.”
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