Network Rail refines plans for Sea Wall

Plans to improve railway resilience on the section of the Devon Sea Wall between Parson’s Tunnel and Teignmouth will be refined by Network Rail, following feedback from the local community.

More than 2,840 people attended 11 consultation events. Feedback revealed that while 73% of people agreed/strongly agreed that this section of railway needed more resilience, 51% disagreed/strongly disagreed with NR’s proposals. More than half (54%) agreed with creating a new path and amenity.

Concerns included the construction timeline, environmental impact, loss of heritage features, and effect on the local economy.

This follows a six-week consultation period held last year, when responses from more than 1,600 people resulted in revisions to retain more of the beach and improve leisure access.

• For the FULL story, read RAIL 916, published on October 21, and available digitally now.