Dawlish work to begin next month

Network Rail will repair breakwaters to protect the line

4 Breakwaters between Dawlish and Teignmouth will be repaired over the next 6 months to try and protect the rail line from the sea. 

They are at Boat Cove, Coastguards Point, Colonnade Underpass and Langstone Rock.

Community events are being held to let the public know what is planned. The first is today (Tuesday 30th October) at Dawlish Methodist Church between 1430 & 1730. 

Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw says this is "fiddling around" and that promises David Cameron made 5 years ago have not been kept. He says plans need to include a route away from Dawlish. 

Mike Gallop, director of route asset management for Network Rail said: “This section of the railway is vital for many residents and communities in Devon and Cornwall and we are committed to safeguarding it for future generations.

“However, it’s going to take us time to work out the best ways to protect the railway and then deliver these works, so we wanted to find ways now to make the railway more resilient than it currently is.  By repairing the breakwaters we can give some immediate protection to the sea wall, the railway and town behind it, and we are looking at how we can put in place immediate, short term measures to reduce the risk of a landslip on the cliff at Holcombe.  

“Alongside this, we will continue to work up longer-term options for us to present to the local community, local councils and government in 2019.

“We are acutely mindful of the need to consider the views of the local community, the long-term needs of the environment as well as the need to provide a sustainable railway for Devon and Cornwall.”

Cllr Humphrey Clemens, Teignbridge District Council’s portfolio holder for planning and coastal management, said: “Teignbridge has been working closely with Network Rail since the Dawlish 2014 event and remains keen to assist this regionally important infrastructure being made resilient for the future.

“It is vitally important to ensure that residents’ opinions and suggestions, together with enhancements to the public realm, are incorporated within the medium-term plans. Short term we also recognise the need for ongoing works to the existing breakwaters which should continue to offer some protection from storm events.”

Other community events are:

7 November - Teignmouth Library - 19A Fore St, Teignmouth TQ14 8DY from 16.00-19.00
15 November - Holcombe Village Hall, Holcombe from 16.00-19.00