General Discussion

I've been living in Dawlish for a few months and there are a few things that puzzle me about the sea wall path. I don't seem to be able to find any on-line references to anything about the sea-wall other than in its capacity of protecting the train line. I was wondering if anyone with any local historical knowledge might be able to help satisfy my curiosity? The first oddity is the lack of a hand rail down the seaward side of the path over the majority of the stretch between Langstone rock and the town centre. I was a little amazed that in a town that has three inch high steps labeled as such in foot long painted white letters(with big arrows just to be sure), that the potential joys of plummeting fifteen feet into the sea or onto concrete slabs from an uneven, often busy, walkway had been missed. My assumption was that it just wasn't considered a big enough or frequent enough problem to warrant the addition of a hand-rail. Then I noticed that there appear to be concreted in holes for railings along quite long sections (although not all) of the path. So at some point there were railings, but they were removed? Why? It seems strange that where a situation had been identified as hazardous enough to merit a safety measure that it should then later be removed, especially since the problem is obviously still there. I've examined on-line photos going back to 1979 of the path and none seem to show any kind of barrier or railing. So I was wondering whether anyone knew the history behind it? Secondly, why does the path dip in the middle to a height that can be flooded easily at high tide, when so much effort has gone into keeping the rest of it raised? On really old photos this section of path doesn't seem to exist at all. Any help appreciated.

I think the second part of your query is answered in one of the information boards posted along the route of the railway - I think the one just above Coastguards. As I recall a local big-wig had a house on the cliff at that point, and objected to the idea of local riff-raff walking by and peering into his property. So, to accommodate him, the path was dropped to its current partly useless height. For me the mystery has always been why the path wasn't built up again after his death. The railings may have gone the way of many others and been scrapped to contribute for the war effort. Have to say I like it without them and would be sorry to see them replaced. Bardwell

I agree with you Bardwell... Why spoil the view... If you are worried about there being no hand rail seaward side... DON'T GO NEAR THE EDGE.... If you walk the route often enough BBQ you will have noticed that the view over the wall has not changed much over the years... Sea, Sand, well in some places) :) Shells and Rocks Bits of rubbish and a few other things which I don't have the time to look at as I am to busy taking in the view, which I never tire of...

I believe there's some misunderstanding about the sockets between the paving along some sections of the sea wall, particularly between the viaduct and Boat Cove. The diamond shape sockets were to lock the limestone slabs together with molten metal, and were not the base of railings. If you doubt me, measure the distance between sockets and you will find that it varies greatly, and it's too great to support a railing system. More than that, the footpath was constructed by the railway company to allow access for maintenance of the track and not for the benefit of 21st century leisure seekers. It's the sort of detail that you find around any dockside where the people who work there are expected to know that there is no safety rail. It's hazardous of you don't watch where you are walking, or if you're prone to dizzy fits, but otherwise an acceptable risk.

Well said Sid. Why complain about the lack of handrails?? It has been like that for years. As Sid said, DONT go near the edge.Simple. If you have children with you, make them hold your hand, or put them on reigns.

I would also like to add, that there in nothing more annoying than people who move into the area and start wanting to change things. There is nothing wrong with the sea wall. It was like that BEFORE you moved here. And no, Im not being horrid, just practical. I hope that you are enjoying living here.