Network Rail is responding to consultation feedback on its proposal to move the railway out to sea
Railway resilience is an issue which has gained greater prominence in recent years and months. Nowhere did this have a higher profile than in South Devon, with the breach of the Great Western route at Dawlish and simultaneous cliff failure just along the coast near Holcombe in 2014. This prompted Network Rail to initiate its South West Rail Resilience Programme to look at actions to secure the route along the coast.
The first stage of this work was completed in July 2020 when the new sea wall between Dawlish station and Kennaway Tunnel opened. Construction is underway on the second phase, covering the stretch between Coastguards and Colonnade breakwaters, including Dawlish station.
