NEW LIGHTING SWITCHED ON FOR DAWLISH SEAFRONT
Published at 04:00 on Wednesday 6th October 2021
Tags: Dawlish, Sea Wall, Resiliency, Network Rail
An official view of how the finished section of the seawall, adjacent to Marine Parade at Dawlish, looks at dusk, with LED lighting providing a well-lit walkway. Network Rail
The first section of the upgraded sea-wall at Dawlish has been completed with new seating and low-energy LED lighting installed.
The new lighting will mean people wishing to walk or travel along the 360-metre long promenade will now be able to do so both in the day and darker evenings, as well as being able to sit on the 14 concrete benches and seats that are now dotted along the promenade.
Construction of this first section of bigger sea wall, which stretches along Marine Parade west of Dawlish station, and aims to reduce the effects of rough seas and weather on the railway and front area of the town, started in May 2019. The second section, some 415-metres in length from the Colonnade breakwater, west of the station, to the Coastguard breakwater at the east end, began last November and is continuing to progress well. 143 concrete wall panels have now been successfully installed and the curved wave returns that sit on top of the wall panels are being added.
Construction work is expected to be completed by 2023, providing better protection for both the town and railway from rising sea levels and extreme weather.
The entire project is one part of the South West Rail Resilience Programme that has been ongoing since 2014.
