Two major rail projects open

New train station and sea wall for Devon

Passengers in the South West will benefit from more reliable train journeys thanks to a new £82 million sea wall which aims to protect the vital coastal rail route in Dawlish. 

In a visit to Devon today, Transport Secretary Mark Harper will attend Dawlish station to mark the completion of the wall and officially open a brand-new railway station at Marsh Barton, near Exeter – two projects that will boost local and regional connections, helping grow the economy. 

As a key transport artery for the South West, the projects demonstrate the Government’s commitment to the region and its continued investment in infrastructure to help grow the economy.

The new, rebuilt sea wall will protect the safety of local passengers from extreme weather conditions along the coast. It has been completed in two phases, with the latter stage protecting the Grade 2 listed Dawlish train station. 

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: "I am delighted to see the completion of two major projects today, delivering a Government commitment to improve a vital rail route for passengers in the South West.

“These projects demonstrate a Government that is delivering our promises, investing in vital infrastructure and improving transport connections to help grow the economy.”

The work in Dawlish forms part of a multimillion-pound programme and delivers on a Government pledge to create a more resilient railway following devastating storms in 2014, which damaged the tracks beyond use for eight weeks and disconnected passengers from the network. 

The completion of the works marks a major milestone for the programme and will offer a promenade and new public areas for the local community. Ongoing work by Network Rail also continues to develop a new, accessible footbridge with lifts at Dawlish Station. 

Further cliff protection work, to deliver two additional phases of the programme, continues at pace including a rockfall shelter at Holcombe, along the coast from Dawlish. 

In Marsh Barton, the Secretary of State will also attend the official opening of a new, fully accessible, station which will be managed by Great Western Railway and serve the popular Exeter to Plymouth rail line. 

It is expected to open to passengers tomorrow (4 July).