Media centre

Friday 12 Aug 2016

Flood relief boost for rail passengers, road users and residents in Devon

Rail passengers, residents, businesses and road users will benefit from added flood alleviation measures on the Dawlish Warren Road near Cockwood in Devon thanks to work carried out by Network Rail as part of its Railway Upgrade Plan.

In the Victorian era, culverts were placed under the railway in order to divert water misplaced by the construction of the tracks. However, due to its location in the Exe Estuary, there is a tidal flow which means water used to flow into the pipes and flood the road.

Network Rail commissioned a study of the flood relief in the area in November last year and has subsequently replaced a valve on the estuary side which will stop high tide waters from flooding out the road, benefiting road users and improving the reliability of the railway for passengers.

The replacement valve will ensure that if the tide is in, and there is a heavy downpour, the pressure of water running onto the road from surrounding fields will not be able to overcome the pressure of the tide; keeping the valve shut until the tide goes out, allowing the valve to open.

The new valve was installed and the pipe under the track was cleaned by Network Rail’s orange army from Plymouth last week (4 August).

This valve has been added to the list of thousands of structures which are regularly inspected by Network Rail’s orange army to ensure it continues to operate efficiently.

Nigel Clements, an asset engineer at Network Rail, said: “Thanks to the hard work of the staff from our Plymouth engineering team and the partnership working between Network Rail and local agencies, we were able to find a solution to the ongoing flooding at Dawlish Warren Road.

“Flooding has caused numerous problems for the community over several years but successful work between Network Rail, local councillors, Devon County Council and Anne Marie Morris MP has helped identify the root cause of the problem. This led to the urgent replacement of a tidal flap valve that will significantly reduce the likelihood of flooding.

“I am delighted with the work of all involved as the replacement was carried out exactly to plan.”

Anne Marie Morris MP (Con, Newton Abbot) said: “It was great to see that a new valve has been installed by Network Rail. This should go a long way to alleviating flooding in the area after many years of frustration for local residents and visitors alike.”

Cllr Martin Wrigley (Dawlish North East) said: “I am delighted that we finally have a solution to the long-running tidal flood on Dawlish Warren Road at Eastdon.  With everyone working together like this, we can get so much more done, and I’d like to thank Network Rail for pulling this together at this time.”

ENDS