Network Rail is to restart work on a new bigger sea wall at Dawlish, in Devon, on 9 September 2019 which will provide greater protection to the railway and town from rising sea levels.

The upgrade stopped through the summer season to minimise disruption to tourists. It will now continue through to its completion in Spring 2020.

The new sea wall is vital for the whole of the South West peninsula as the railway connects communities in 50 towns and cities in Devon and Cornwall with the rest of the UK.

Once complete the new sea wall will be 2.5m higher than the existing wall.

What did the officials say?

David Lovell, Network Rail senior programme manager for the Dawlish sea wall project, said:

“We are looking forward to restarting work on delivering this vital upgrade that will protect the rail artery to the south west for the next 100 years.

“Our plans have been drawn up by world leading engineers and it will provide greater protection to the railway and town from rising sea levels and extreme weather.

“We will continue to update the community with how our work is progressing.”

Anne-Marie Morris, Member of Parliament for Newton Abbot said:

As Network Rail’s break from working on the line at Dawlish during peak summer months comes to a close, I welcome the fact that the work will resume on 9 September.

“This vital work will ensure that we have a train line that is robust and fit for the future and continues to act as a crucial transport and commercial artery through the constituency and wider South West”

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