Devon Sea Wall Needs Repairs

Engineering teams from Network Rail and BAM Nuttall are about to begin repairs to four breakwaters in Dawlish, Devon, protecting the railway running along the coast.

The breakwaters that require repair are at Boat Cove, Coastguards Point, Colonnade Underpass and Langstone Rock.

According to the Network Rail, the works will start next month taking approximately six months to complete.

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,” added Mike Gallop.

Network Rail and its engineering experts will be out and about in the community to explain the investigatory work that they are doing over the next few months as well as the immediate works being started in November to strengthen Dawlish sea wall:

• 30 October – Dawlish Methodist Church, Dawlish, EX7 9PB from 14.30-17.30;
• 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.