Media centre

Tuesday 26 May 2015

Network Rail calls on its neighbours to provide their experiences of historic south west railway to help secure future of the line

Region & Route:

The call goes out to the dog walkers, bird watchers, amateur photographers and beach users of the south west to help secure the long-term future of a historic railway.

Members of the public with knowledge or historical evidence of the coastline between Exeter and Newton Abbot in Devon have the opportunity to contribute their own views and experiences of local weather history and the effects on the railway as part of a wide-ranging Network Rail resilience study.

The line between Exeter and Newton Abbot has throughout its 175 year life suffered the effects of coastal flooding, erosion and cliff instability, but major events in recent years have led Network Rail to begin a study looking into the options available to make the area and railway line more resilient.

As part of the study, communities living along this area of coastline are being asked to contribute their personal knowledge of the local area and its history.

Network Rail is holding a series of drop-in sessions where people can contribute photos, film and stories about the coastal railway to help inform the study.

Joanna Grew, Network Rail’s commercial scheme sponsor for the project, said: “We are committed to the south west region, and as shown by our work at Dawlish, want to ensure the long-term future of this vital section of the Great Western route.

“As part of our study looking into how this can be achieved, we want to hear from the people who know this area best. We want residents to tell us about their experiences or show us photographs and film footage.

“Obviously there is a wealth of archive and meteorological data available to us but the official records only ever tell part of the story. The everyday experiences of those who have first-hand knowledge of the area will be invaluable in supporting our research as we consider how to make the railway more resilient.”

Anyone who wishes to contribute to the study can do so by attending drop-in events in Teignmouth on 16 June at the Cliffden Hotel and Dawlish Warren on 23 June at the Langstone Cliff Hotel, both events will run between 3pm and 8pm.

Alternatively they can email their comments to Ex2NA@networkrail.co.uk or post them to Ex2NA, Western House, 1 Holbrook Way, Swindon, SN1 1BD.