General Discussion
And, of course, it is not only the low laying areas that would be adversely affected if we do not protect the coast/rail line from the sea. Just type in Dawlish Teignmouth landslips and hit the search button. You'll find lots of links! There is quite a bit of housing built on the cliff top going from the Warren Copse part of Dawlish through to Teignmouth. I wonder how much of it would survive ...
Did anyone else register the irony that one of the options being considered by NR, the Teign Valley route, became impassable a few days ago because storms had washed the ballast away from the railway track. It's presently a single track and a train uses it once a week apparently to collect timber. See page 5 of this week's Gazette for picture and more info.
Thing is, not all of the coast has a main line railway running along it right next to the sea. We do. Furthermore, it is the one and only route in and out of the further south west. So, until and unless another line is built further inland the railway that we presently have has to be protected from the rising sea levels. The question is how best to do that.
Why is it pie in the sky (sea)? It might be. But you haven't said why you think that to be the case.
Well, money has to be found from somewhere to keep the estuary/sea defences in working order, railway line or no railway line. Or, if not, then it's a population retreat from Starcross, the Warren and parts of Dawlish as it would only be a matter of time before a rising sea level plus stormy weather would result in a breach of the sea wall. That would then take out the A379 anywhere from Starcross ...
According to the local tv news broadcast this evening it seems that the damage to the rail line is not restricted to Dawlish but also goes further over towards Teignmouth. Even more reason then for a large breakwater from the Exe to the Teign?
This morning, on its breakfast news show, Radio Devon ran a feature about yesterday's Transport Select Committee meeting. Here are the notes I took. Looking at the long term, Network Rail are now considering up to 5 inland routes. Radio Devon not sure where these routes are but one is the Okehampton/Tavistock line. NR say this will cost approx £500-700m. Other lines could be the Teign ...
Well.....as I see it what the letter writer is saying is.......... let's look at all the options in terms of securing the Dawlish seawall rail link. It might well be the case that what he has in mind won't be suitable for the Exe Estuary/Dawlish sea front/Teign estuary but I think the point he is making is that we won't know one way or t'other unless it is looked into. Perhaps a variation on what ...
letter in today's Dawlish Gazette: There is a major project being proposed in Wales called Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay, which is currently seeking planning approval. A similar scheme may be the ideal solution to our failing sea defences and offer long term security to our railway. Such a scheme would offer both coastal and riverside protection to an area from Exmouth-Dawlish Warren-Dawlish ...
It seems there's some twittering (is that the right phrase?) about today's Transport Select Committee meeting and the rail needs of the south west by Ben Bradshaw (lab Exeter) and Adrian Sanders (Lib Dem Torbay). I can't find anything being tweeted by Anne Marie Morris.
