Network Rail and its contractor Bam Nuttall say they’re serious about limiting the environmental impact of the latest phase of Dawlish’s long-running resilience programme. So much so that by using low carbon P350 concrete for backfilling the sea wall, it’s estimated the amount of CO2 saved compared to conventional concrete equates to driving an average car 7,527,251km, or 4,677,216 miles. To put it in regionally appropriate terms, that’s the equivalent of etwork Rail and its contractor Bam Nuttall driving from Land’s End to John O’ Groats 5,588 times, a journey more often made, it seems, by bicycle to raise money for charity.
It’s just one example of an innovative approach to delivering Phase 2 of the sea wall strengthening, which means that by the end of 2023 the station area should be protected for another 120 years against the sort of damage which occurred in 2014.
As demonstrated by the well-loaded trains passing when MR visited, this beautiful but vulnerable section of railway isn’t a tourist attraction: it’s a vital link connecting Torbay, South Devon, Plymouth and the whole of Cornwall with the wider rail network.
Network Rail Senior Project Sponsor Julie Gregory is very aware of the importance…
