Work to secure Cornwall to London rail line could be revealed in summer

LONG-term plans to safeguard the future of the Dawlish rail line could be revealed in the summer – and built by 2027 – but only if funding is found.Design work on the best method to protect the section of track between Parsons Tunnel and Teignmouth is nearing completion, with a series of revetments, sea walls and rockfall shelters over the line planned by Network Rail.David Lovell, Network Rail Programme Manager for the Western and Wales, told Teignbridge’s Locality Committee on Thursday that the design work would be complete the summer and they would then be in a position to formally submit their plans, subject to funding.The plans include:Rockfell Shelters build over the top of the railway lineA rock revetments at Parsons TunnelImproved sea wall defences, including the previous announced works at Marine Parade and Dawlish stationMoving the railway further away from the cliffsRetaining a large part of the Smugglers’ Beach for public useButtresses to reinforce and support the cliffsMr Lovell explained to councillors the plans that Network Rail had for the section of track between Teignmouth and Parsons Tunnel where the issue they need to tackle are the cliffs.The original design in 2016 would have seen most of Holcombe beach lost when the tracks were moved out to sea on a causeway, but the scheme has been redesigned, which means a large part of the beach will now be maintained.Near Teignmouth, a rockfall shelter would be installed to protect the line from cliff falls, while a hybrid solution of both sea walls and revetments would be built as coastal defences to improve the protection of the line.He also briefed the committee on the £80m plans that Network Rail has submitted to improve the sea wall along Marine Parade.The scheme will raise the wall from its current height of 5m to 7.5m, widen the walkway to 4m from its current 3.1m width, and include a barrier between the pedestrians and the edge of the to stop people falling off the wall.The design will prevent stormy conditions from damaging the railway at Dawlish, as back in 2014, the line was washed away in the storm, and the tracks and station are regularly being damaged by flooding.Subject to planning permission being granted, Network Rail say that they want to start on site by the end of May, will work until the summer holidays, and then return to continue the work in September when the schools go back.Then want to turn the attention to the Colonnade to Coastguard section which will include a full review of what can be done with Dawlish Water.Teignbridge District Council is currently formally consulting the local community on the proposed designs and whether they would negatively impact the amenity of the area. If not, then the council should approve the application.However, more objections that support have been registered against the plans from members of the public, one of whom simply said ‘it is a stupid idea’.Subjected to planning permission being granted, it should take around nine months for the new sea wall to be constructed, although how the scheme will be funded still needs to be confirmed.