neilh
It's worth fighting if you can stand the bureaucracy of it. I've done it twice and won both times. But of course all this means is that I've tied up resources of the local council and who pays for that - we do through taxes.
Yes, saw one train early this morning so I assume that Exeter line is now open but haven't seen anything on tele about it
Good turnout for the Boxing Day dash in Teignmouth. RNLI ran out of registration forms so more people than normal/expected must have turned up to brave the sea which actually wasn't as cold as I thought it would be - a pleasant 11 deg or thereabouts, apparently warmer than the air temperature. A few tots of sloe vodka afterwards worked a treat.
They are still working round-the-clock to remove the cliff debris which fell in both the original slip and the 2nd one 4-5 days ago. Latest estimate is completion of this part by 4 o'clock tomorrow. But they then still have to carry out the repairs. Don't know when that will start and what effect there will be on traims but of course trains from Exeter are still not coming through anyway.
Was told today that the line between Dawlish and Teignmouth will be closed from evening of Christmas Eve to morning of 27th December to carry out the land-slip repair work. It also looks like work will continue for up to two months after that but no details as yet.
Agreed. They just said some time over the Xmas period. Apparently it depends on getting this special digger with a long reach which then has to be trained in from Dawlish.
Just been talking to some of the rail workers. It looks like there will be closures at least between Dawlish and Teignmouth some time over the Christmas period. Not sure when or for how long, but they're needed to repair the landslip between Smugglers cove and Sprey point. Sounds like a big operation with abseillers, huge digger with long reach to remove loose earth from up the cliff, ...
Three-legged fancy dress race, Shaldon, Boxing day - involves regular pit-stops at local pubs. RNLI Boxing Day walk in the sea, 11am (coachloads come from all over the county to see this event so get there early)
Hedgeslip now cleared
Hedgeslip still there. Also if you are walking down Smugglers Lane along the seafront to Teignmouth you'll find that the stream has burst from its culvert and the bottom of Smugglers Lane is just fast running water. There is a barrier across the side path to the sea wall. You can still walk it but take care and you'll probably get wet feet.
