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Railway crippled at Dawlish as town prepares for further storms

The damaged railway at Dawlish could take up to six weeks to repair, Network Rail has announced, with the likely repair bill in the millions. Engineers will need more time, once the weather is calmer, to fully assess the scale of the work.

But another storm is forecast to hit the south west tomorrow, which could further hinder repairs.

Stormy seas and high tides have destroyed around 80m of sea wall, as well as the nearby road and buildings, and have severely damaged Dawlish station. Network Rail staff are working to shore up the damaged section with a concrete spraying machine.

Network Rail’s route managing director for the Western route, Patrick Hallgate, said: “We absolutely understand the importance of the railway to the south west and will do everything we can to rebuild the railway at Dawlish as quickly and safely as we can.

“After a quieter night’s weather, we have been able to begin delivering machinery to our site compound with a view to protecting the exposed section of railway and the land behind it. We need to make sure we limit any further damage this weekend so that the significant repairs that are needed do not become greater still.

“We will continue working with the government, Environment Agency, local authorities and other partners to explore ways of improving the railway’s resilience to extreme weather. The disruption to rail services in the south west highlights the importance of that work and the need for all forms of transport to ensure that they are fit for the future.”

Transport infrastructure expert Dr John Disney, a senior lecturer at Nottingham Business School, part of Nottingham Trent University, said it was “entirely predictable” that sea damage would take place at Dawlish.

“Long-term serious consideration must now be given to reopening an alternative inland railway line through Devon closed during the Beeching era. While local campaigners have been fighting for this restoration for some time, there has been little Westminster support but the tide may now be turning.”

On the Cambrian Coast Line the section between Dovey Junction and Barmouth could be reopened as soon as 10 February if the weekend passes without any major incidents, Network Rail said. Staff are currently removing debris from the track, replacing sea walls and defences, and relaying new track and ballast.

The full section repairs from Barmouth to Pwllheli are on schedule to be complete in mid-May. Mark Langman, route managing director for Network Rail Wales, said the development of the Coastal Asset Management Plan in Wales was helping to mitigate the damage from extreme weather.

“Our focus continues on the significant damage north of Barmouth, with an aim to get it open ahead of the Whitsun holiday period.

“In Wales, we have a programme to modernise the railway right across the country. The importance of this strategy has come into sharp focus in recent months following a number of powerful storms.”

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