Transport secretary Mark Harper has opened the £80m sea wall in Dawlish, Devon after storms almost a decade ago destroyed the original sea defences designed by Brunel to protect the coastal rail line.
On 4 and 5 February 2014, very strong winds and high seas severely damaged the railway line that runs through Dawlish. The sea wall was breached and a section of the wall washed away along with 80 metres of rail track, platforms at Dawlish railway station and sections of the coastal path.
The railway line to the south west was cut off, wreaking havoc on regional connections.
The completion of the sea wall project is a major landmark in Network Rail’s efforts to enhance the resilience and reliability of the railway in the south west. The line serves as a vital link, connecting communities and businesses in 50 towns and cities with the rest of the UK.
Following the railway repair, Network Rail developed the South West Rail Resilience Programme, which included rebuilding and bolstering the original defences overseen by engineering legend Isambard Kingdom Brunel who built the rail line.
The wall now stands at eight metres high and 775 metres long and 'will protect the railway from extreme weather for generations to come, acting as a barrier to stop waves flooding the track or causing damage to infrastructure,' Network Rail said.
The structure is designed to reflect waves back into the sea, even in the face of climate change and raising sea levels.
Michelle Handforth, regional managing director of Network Rail’s Wales and Western region, said: 'The line is a vital transport link for the south west, something that was starkly highlighted when sections of the railway were washed away and flooded during an intense storm in 2014.
'Enhancing the resilience of this coastal stretch of line is vitally important for the region, especially given the challenges posed by climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather.
'Working with world-leading engineers and with funding from the Government, we’ve been able to protect the railway line and town of Dawlish for generations to come.
'I’d particularly like to thank the Dawlish community for their patience and support while the construction took place close to their homes and businesses over three-and-half years.'
During the build, more than £15m has been spent in the local economy, using local labour, materials and accommodation.
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