Media centre

Tuesday 15 Nov 2016

Railway upgrade plan proposed for line between Exeter and Newton Abbot

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Following a series of detailed investigations and technical studies, Network Rail will present proposed upgrades to the railway line between Exeter and Newton Abbot to the public on Thursday (17 November), in an effort to ensure long-term protection for the railway and the community.

Exceptional weather at the beginning of 2014 caused part of the railway line at Dawlish to collapse into the sea and thousands of tonnes of material from the cliffs at Teignmouth to fall onto the line.

As work to repair the line commenced, Network Rail began working with residents on a study looking into the impact of coastal flooding, erosion and cliff instability on this vital part of the Great Western route, and the options available to limit the effects of these in the future.

The study, part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan, has identified ways of protecting the railway and improving the future reliability of the line. The proposals will be presented to communities across Devon and Cornwall at a series of engagement events over the coming weeks.

Mark Langman, Network Rail’s managing director for the Western route said: “This railway line is a vital link for the South West of England and we are committed to securing its long-term future as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan to deliver a bigger, better and more reliable railway for passengers. It is important that the community are fully involved in the process at this early stage and we urge residents to come along to these events.”

Anne Marie Morris, Member of Parliament for Newton Abbot, said: "Our coastal line is crucial to our economy and I am pleased to see progress on ensuring its long term resilience. I hope as many people as possible come to hear about the plans and give their comments.”

The first public engagement event will take place on Thursday, 17 November at the Langstone Cliff Hotel in Dawlish Warren; open to the public from 4.30pm until 7.30pm. Further events will be held over the coming weeks (see notes to editor).

ENDS

Notes to editors:

No costs have been calculated for individual parts of the project due to the early stage of development.

Network Rail will be holding a series of information sharing engagement events for the public as follows:

Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish Warren, EX7 0NA

Thursday, 17 November – 4.30pm-7.00pm

Rougemont Hotel, Exeter EX4 3SP

Monday, 28 November – 3pm-7pm

Pavilions, Teignmouth TQ14 8BG

Tuesday, 29 November – 3pm-7pm

Best Western Livermead Cliff Hotel, Torquay TQ2 6RQ

Wednesday, 30 November – 3pm-7pm

Copthorne Hotel, Plymouth PL1 1AR

Monday, 5 December – 3pm-7pm

Alverton Manor Hotel, Truro TR1 1ZQ

Tuesday, 6 December – 3pm-7pm