NR proclaims progress with Da
SEVEN years after the sea wall collapsed at Dawlish, following violent storms, Network Rail says work is progressing well with the second section of the new structure.
And plans for protecting the section of the railway at the northern end of Parson’s Tunnel (near Holcombe) have been submitted to Government, with a formal decision expected imminently.
“We remain committed to improving the resilience of the line between Parson’s Tunnel and Teignmouth. Following feedback from the local community on our proposed project to realign the railway track, we are carrying out further investigation work and refining our plans, and we will be updating the local community later this year,” a Network Rail spokesman told RAIL.
The first section of the new wall at Dawlish, completed last July, runs for 360 metres from Marine Parade to near the station. NR claims this part of the new wall is working, in protecting the railway from flooding by deflecting waves upwards rather than onto the tracks.
Work on the second section began in November. As this issue of RAIL went to press, the ‘Wavewalker’ - a self-contained jack-up barge (the only one of its kind in Europe) - was due to complete its work in helping to deliver piling for the new wall ( RAIL 918).
Once that is finished, the next stage involves scouring the piles to protect them against erosion. After that, the new wall panels and concrete backfill will be installed.
It’s expected that the second section will be complete in 2023.
It is 415 metres in length and stretches from the Coastguard breakwater east of Dawlish station to Colonnade breakwater. A new promenade will help to protect the station.
NR interim Western Route Director Chris Pearce claims this work will protect the railway for the next 100 years.
Councillor Andrea Davis, who chairs the Peninsula Rail Task Force, said: “For the people of Dawlish, the completed first section of new sea wall and work that is ongoing really does enhance the area, gives that reassurance about protection for the next 100 years, and means Dawlish can continue to be a vibrant community.
“There are two million people across the South West peninsula who would be adversely affected if the railway was damaged again by extreme weather. This is why the work Network Rail is doing is so important.”
■ Further reading,
RAIL 742-746.