NETWORK RAIL has published for consultation its plans to increase the resilience of the railway between Parsons Tunnel and Teignmouth in Devon.
NR says the 1.8km stretch, south of Dawlish, needs better protection from cliff falls, landslips and damage caused by the sea during extreme weather. Given the greatest threat to the railway is from the cliffs, the proposed solution is to move the railway away from the cliffs, with some land reclamation allowing a buttress to be built at the foot of the cliffs. To protect the realigned railway from the sea, a rock revetment or enhanced sea wall will be required to absorb the energy of the waves. NR says the plans include enhanced leisure access, cycling and walking routes and new amenity areas so users of Holcombe beach continue to enjoy the space and views of the Devon coastline.
The consultation on the plans, which incorporate feedback on the original concepts outlined in 2016, runs until 15 July. A Transport and Works Act Order will be required for the work to proceed.
Meanwhile, at the beginning of June Network Rail and contractor Bam Nuttall began work to build a new sea wall on the Marine Parade stretch in Dawlish.
