The major project to build a new sea wall at Dawlish has entered the final stages as a new link bridge and stilling basin approaches completion at Colonnade Viaduct.

The Colonnade Underpass reopened on Saturday 25th February after heavy machinery was removed from the beach.

Work on the 415 metre section of the new sea wall, which stretches from the Coastguard Breakwater to the north east of the station to Colonnade Breakwater, began in November 2020, which followed on from the completion of the first 360 metre section in July 2020.

The section section of the new sea wall reached a milestone in August 2022 with the installation of all 164 wall panels, 203 pre-cast blocks and 189 recurve units.

Since then, work has focused on connecting the two sections of wall with a link bridge that runs next to Colonnade Viadcut, as well as building a new stilling basin where Dawlish Water runs out to sea.

Step free access has bee closed since Autumn 2022 to keep people safe whilst the work continues. However, with heavy machinery removed from the beach and new paving installed, the first span underneath the viaduct is being opened to the public once more.

The new link bridge, stilling basin area and promenade, as well as the beach between Colonnade and Coastguard breakwaters will remain closed whilst work on the £80m sea wall continues.

Alina Wolfe-Murray, Network Rail senior sponsor, said: “It’s great to see the new public areas really taking shape – we are making good progress. We have faced some considerable challenges during construction; not least the discovery of an uncharted gas main last summer which pushed our programme back by several weeks.

“We faced further delays over the winter when heavy rain, wind and freezing temperatures – which caused widespread disruption across the country including on the rail network – slowed down or prevented activities such as pouring concrete and grouting paving.

“The recent better weather has allowed us to push forward with creating the new public area around the stilling basin, where 140,000 granite blocks that make up the surface are being laid by hand.

“We’re pleased to say step-free access to King’s Walk and the beach is due to reopen on Saturday 25 February and we’d like to thank everyone for their patience while it has been closed.

“There’s still work to do and we are working to get it completed as soon as we can, depending on the weather. We’re looking forward to opening up more of the public areas later this Spring.”

Alan Cox, Managing Director, Transport, for BAM Nuttall said: “Our work with Network Rail at Dawlish is proof that great things can come from adversity. It’s a project that has exhibited incredible ingenuity and collaboration from everyone involved right from the outset back in February 2014. The physical challenges of the site have really tested the problem-solving skills of our engineers but the results are there for all to see. I’m particularly proud of the innovation that has been demonstrated, from the use of the WaveWalker to install piling to the use of low carbon concrete in the construction of the sea wall itself.

“Our work in Dawlish was always going to bring us into close contact with the local community and the efforts made by our team to communicate with and keep our neighbours informed about developments have been nothing short of exemplary. It’s a job that will leave a lasting legacy for the town, for the Great Western Railway and its customers. Like me, I am sure that it’s a project that the team will look back on with a great deal of pride and satisfaction.”