Teignbridge District Council yesterday approved Network Rail’s plans to deliver a new seawall at Dawlish that will provide increased protection from extreme weather and rising sea levels for generations to come.
Commenting the latest news, Network Rail’s managing director for the Western Route, Mark Langman , said: “We know the local community in Dawlish feel strongly about the future of the seawall and the resilience of the railway in their town. We’d like to thank them for their input and engagement with us so far.”
“Whilst developing our plans we have listened to the views put forward by the community. Our plan for the newsea wall will minimize its impact on Dawlish sea front whilst providing the appropriate level of protection from extreme weather for the railway and the town.
“The new sea wall will protect this vital rail artery to the south west for the next 100 years. World leading engineers have designed these plans, having considered hundreds of other options, and it will ensure the railway line is more resilient to extreme weather and rising sea levels for generations to come.”
Construction work on the new seawall is set to begin at the end of May and, once complete, will provide the railway and town with increased protection for the next 100 years.