20.03.13
Works at Cowley Bridge will ‘not prevent flooding’
Works at Cowley Bridge will not stop floods, Network Rail has warned as it investigates how to improve resilience on the line near Exeter.
Cowley Bridge was submerged last winter, causing significant delays and cancellations. Network Rail is planning to conduct works to allow flooding to be cleared and services resume as quickly as possible.
The plans will cost around £30m and Network Rail is working with the Environment Agency and Government on the situation and are due to report at the end of March.
Mike Gallop, from Network Rail, said: “What we are looking at now is how we can improve network resilience between Taunton and Cowley Bridge. That's not prevention – we do not believe we can stop it flooding.
“Our proposition is that, once floods have subsided, we can start to recover services much quicker and more effectively than we did at Christmas.
“We're looking at improving tracks, improving embankments, and improving their draining.
“We're also looking at making the signalling system more robust by raising it, so it doesn't get damaged by water.”
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