Lynne
@Clive "if i lived anywhere near the front i would be puttting my hand up to see all available money going into this as the sole investment for a long term solution." I think this is the very point I am trying to get across. From Starcross to Teignmouth, whether low laying land or cliff top houses - it is in everyone's interest for there to be flood/coastal defences. Not to mention the ...
There is a picture on the front of this week's Herald Express showing the damage to the sea wall at Teignmouth. The article accompanying the picture goes on to say; "Yesterday engineers revealed the true extent of the project. Along with the gaping hole left at Riveriera Terrace in Dawlish there are also 525 metres of parapet walls damaged, 256 metres of main seawall to repair, 276 metres of ...
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 ...
