Minister’s praise for progress on railway line

TORBAY’S Disabled Sailing Association christened their new yacht Freedom on the weekend with some help from some special guests. BBC Spotlight presenter Victoria Graham was on hand to officially name and commission the £134k new boat at a ceremony at Beacon Quay, Torquay. Mayor of Torbay Gordon Oliver and MP Kevin Foster also joined chairman of the association Dave Musgrove and supporters to mark the occasion TRANSPORT Secretary Chris Grayling has welcomed the progress of the project to upgrade the rail line between Dawlish and Teignmouth.

Backed by £15million of government funding and supported by world-leading engineers, Network Rail continues to carry out detailed studies into the unique landscape around the line and how best to protect it from extreme weather.

Network Rail is due to publish options for a permanent solution next summer.

In the meantime, essential work to immediately protect the sea wall and rail line will begin in November 2018.

The work, to repair four breakwaters and stabilise cliffs, could take six months.

Mr Grayling said: “As I have said before, upgrading the rail line between Dawlish and Teignmouth is my top rail priority across the country and we will do whatever it takes to find and implement the right solution for the long-term.

“The issues around the cliffs and coastline are incredibly complex and Network Rail has made excellent progress in its scoping and development work in recent months while looking at both permanent and essential short-term measures to protect the line, which is such a vital connection.

“I look forward to seeing the detailed plans next year and will ensure the funding is in place to take forward the right solution for the long-term.”

Mr Grayling added: “The government is committed to enhancing rail infrastructure and services across the South West and we are currently overseeing the biggest overhaul of the Great Western route since Isambard Kingdom Brunel started on the line more than 175 years ago, with £5.7billion being invested in modernising and improving journeys for passengers.

“Among other things, we are introducing 29 new Hitachi high-speed trains, increasing services between Plymouth and Penzance, updating the Cornwall sleeper service, carrying out signalling upgrades and extending car parks, while we have instructed GWR to look into potential reinstatement of Exeter to Okehampton services.”

The public can find out more about the project at a series of community events led by Network Rail. The next event is at Holcombe Village Hall tomorrow, Thursday November 15, from 4pm to 7pm.