STORMS REPORTEDLY BREACH BARRIER ON DAWLISH SEA WALL
Published at 01:17 on Saturday 15th February 2014
Tags: Storms 2014, Dawlish, Network Rail, Weather
In an attempt to protect properties and the surrounding area from further problems, and allow work to commence on repairing the damage, several shipping containers were placed alongside the damaged section of the Sea Wall. Network Rail
As yet more gales and bad weather attack the South West, the problems for Network Rail and the train operating companies continue to expand.
The infrastructure company has already begun repairing the 80-metre collapse on Brunel's sea wall at Dawlish and a protective barrier placed in position formed of several shipping containers that have been welded together and filled with rubble. But the latest storm on the evening of 14th February has reportedly breached this barrier bring concerns of flooding and further collapses. Network Rail had previously stated that it was working towards a goal of reopening the route to services by 18th March.
The Environment Agency had issued a severe flood warning for the East Devon coast, part of the warning covering the area from Star point to Dawlish Warren. Local reports suggest that around 30 residents have been evacuated.
In Cornwall all services were suspended on the evening of 14th February as it was "too dangerous to run trains." First Great Western said that no rail replacement service was being provided because the road conditions were too severe.
