The most significant issue where progress is being made is on work to secure the resilience of the rail line at Dawlish.
Construction work on the new sea wall at Dawlish is progressing and is visible when passing on the train. Once completed it will help prevent a repeat of the iconic scenes from 2014 when a storm left our rail link (literally) hanging in the air.
The next phase will be major work between Parson’s Tunnel and Teignmouth to help protect the line from the steep cliffs next to it which are prone to landslides and rockfalls. Not tackling this issue could see our vital rail links remain very vulnerable.
Whilst I appreciate some in Teignmouth are concerned about the loss of a stretch of beach (the main tourist area in front of the town is not affected) there is a reality to be confronted. If we do not want to risk our rail links being regularly cut off on a regular basis or a major rockfall closing them for months, this project is needed.
The alternative option of a replacement route via a new tunnel would take many years to build and see Teignmouth lose out even more by being cut off from the rail network.
