Great Western Coffee Shop

I travelled on the 1100 St D to Paignton cl150 + 143 today and found,an hour after High tide, the waves and sea spray crashing over the line and trains which as by no means exceptionally rough in my many years of traveling on this 'fragile' South Devon line.
Windows being damaged / broken does very occasionally happen  due sand and shingle being conveyed in the waves.
However I wonder if the activities of Network Rail's Contractors who have been excavating, disturbing, loosening and moving around lots of beach material is now a contributory factor.

Today's 1052 Paignton/Paddington failure is at least the fourth or fifth IET failure /major service disruption incident due the effects of waves and salt water ingress on these new IETs; despite assurances from Hitachi that these new multiple unit trains could cope with waves and sea water.
Surely it can't be long before NR Operating Chiefs extend the ban, that applies to
XC Voyagers, to IETs operating between Exeter and N. Abbot when strong and gale force Southerly and SE winds coincide with times of high tides.

Why a 'Dawlish avoiding' train line in the South West won't happen

The injury to a passenger after a wave smashed the windows of a train travelling past Dawlish has once again re-opened the debate about whether there needs to be a rail line that avoids the sea.

When built back in the 1840s, the difficult terrain inland between Exeter and Newton Abbot led Isambard Kingdom Brunel to adopt a coastal route for the South Devon Railway ...

If HS2 cancelled surely Okehampton Tavistock would be cheaper per mile, quicker to build and far more use.

If HS2 cancelled surely Okehampton Tavistock would be cheaper per mile, quicker to build and far more use.

If HS2 cancelled surely Okehampton Tavistock would be cheaper per mile, quicker to build and far more use.

please delete, cat trod on laptop.

Such a shame to loose that memory ..

If HS2 cancelled surely Okehampton Tavistock would be cheaper per mile, quicker to build and far more use.

Will you be able to carry on after a short paws

An update from Devon Live (http://), posted yesterday afternoon:


Actually a very long article showing all the various options and all the official responses - good to see it all together in one place (pity about the advert infestation, but then that's what pays for the page, I guess!)

Was not even my cat ! neighbours must be out for the day and their cat visited, as she does when no children are available to entertain her at home.

Network Rail unveils updated plan to protect vital south west rail line bordered by steep cliffs and the sea
Region & Route: Western

Updated proposals published for changes to the rail line in south Devon which needs to be better protected from cliff falls, land slips and damage caused by extreme weather
Public consultation now open until 1 March for local communities across the south west to help shape the final design of the scheme

Six-week consultation includes details of the plans to realign the railway to make room for corrective measures to stabilise the cliffs

The updated plans mean most of the beach is retained with improved leisure access and amenities including new, fully accessible coastal walking routes

Updated proposals have today (20 January) been published for a series of potential changes to a section of railway line in south Devon that is bordered by steep cliffs on one side and the sea on the other.

Views are being sought from residents, communities, businesses and rail users across the south west as part of a second round of public consultation which runs for six weeks until 1 March as Network Rail looks to protect a 1.8km stretch of railway between Parsons Tunnel, near Holcombe, and Teignmouth.

The vital rail artery is the only line which connects Cornwall and Devon with the rest of the country and the plans would see the railway realigned away from hazardous cliffs.

The updated design means that most of the beach is retained as it only moves the railway away from the most potentially hazardous areas of the cliffs and keeps the existing railway alignment at both Parsons Tunnel and at Teignmouth end of this stretch of railway.

A realigned coastal footpath, which is 1m wider and safer than the current South West Coast Path, as it will have edge protection, will also be built with the new coastal path not extending any further out than the current extent of Sprey Point.

Further, a landward footpath will also be created with the new enhanced coastal path with more than 1km of new path with full coastal views will be added to the landward side of the railway between Holcombe and Sprey Point, where users can cross over the railway on a new, accessible footbridge.

The vulnerable section of railway was closed for six weeks following a landslide in 2014 and it needs to be better protected from cliff falls, landslips and damage caused during extreme weather.

Residents are invited to provide feedback on the proposals to help finalise the designs. The detailed proposals are available online at www.networkrail.co.uk/SouthWestRRP

Starting today in Dawlish Warren, 11 consultation events in and around the local area will enable people to find out more, ask questions and express their views. It is possible to respond to the consultation online, by email or in writing via a freepost feedback form.

Mike Gallop, route director for Network Rail’s Western route, said: “We have listened to feedback from the first round of consultation and our updated plans will ensure a resilient railway line for the whole south west while maintaining most of the beach and adding improved walking and leisure facilities.

"The railway is a vital artery to the South West, which communities, businesses and visitors to the region depend on for connecting with the rest of the UK. We welcome views on our updated proposals before we apply for consent to undertake the work.”

For the proposal to go ahead Network Rail need to make an application for a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) to the Secretary of State for Transport in order to secure the necessary permissions and rights to carry out the works.

The TWAO is likely to be submitted later this year once feedback is received from this round of public consultation.

That's not about Dawlish you known - try here (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=21746.msg280024#msg280024).

I see we’ve still got at least 3 parallel discussions running about the sea wall.

Any chance we could put them all in the same sub forum, (probably “London to the west” as that seems more strategic than “Shorter journeys in Devon”).

The part around Dawlish station Looks like a big Job even without allowing for Tides and weather holding up the job.
Pat and Mick could be keeping the pubs in Dawlish in Business for a few years. And good luck finding one that actually has real ale.

It means the beach and promenade is now open (28 July) with Network Rail adding finishing touches to the surface of the footpath, before returning later in the year to finish fencing, lighting and seating after delays caused by coronavirus.

The new bigger sea wall runs for 360 metres along Marine Parade, giving the iconic stretch of railway line immediate greater resilience against waves that flood the track, leading to potential closures and delays.

Network Rail has faced delays of crucial materials for the new sea wall throughout the pandemic, but teams of engineers worked around the clock in recent weeks, within Government guidelines, to enable the reopening of the beach and promenade in time for the peak tourism season.

The footbridge that connects Marine Parade to Boat Cove is also open but delays mean engineers will continue to work 24 hours a day for three weeks during the summer to install granite paving at Boat Cove and the viewing point halfway along the wall. Permanent fencing will then be fitted between the railway and the promenade. Then, following the summer engineers will install lighting and seating.

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/vital-rail-link-to-the-south-west-now-better-protected-as-first-section-of-new-dawlish-sea-wall-built

A railway line that washed into the sea in 2014 will be protected "for generations to come" by a new wall, Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said.
The minister officially opened the first section of the new structure in Dawlish, Devon, on Friday.
The wall forms part of an ?80m Network Rail project to safeguard the line which connects Devon and Cornwall with the rest of the rail network.
Repairs to the track, damaged in storms six years ago, cost ?40m.
Mr Heaton-Harris said: "Our investment in this new sea wall will provide a resilient railway for generations to come, delivering for the thousands of passengers that rely upon this vital link every day, and the residents whose homes and businesses must be protected.

Continues..........."

More delays..
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-54538258

It is not that difficult to engineer a gentle slope into the sea in front of the wall to ensure a sandy beach is still present. Sadly few people in the general public have much understanding of soft sediment coastal engineering!

In addition to the sea wall works, the 'Dawlish Special Mode' has now been enabled on the Class 802 fleet.  Basically drivers engage it when instructed to and if a main circuit earthing is detected it allows up to ten engine restart attempts (rather than the normal two) before the engine goes out of service.

Wouldn't some old pacer units have worked just as well ?? :P

Network Rail has started work on the second section of the new, bigger sea wall at Dawlish, Devon, to protect the railway and town from rising sea levels, and extreme weather, for generations to come. Construction of this next section of the ?80 million upgrade will take around two years to complete and follows years of detailed studies, designs and joint working between world-leading marine, coastal and railway engineering experts.
The first part, from Dawlish station to the Coastguard breakwater east of the station is expected to be completed in late 2021.The final part between the station and the Colonnade breakwater, which will link up the new wall at Marine Parade, will start to be built shortly after.

Wouldn't some old pacer units have worked just as well ?? :P

More delays..
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-54538258

It is not that difficult to engineer a gentle slope into the sea in front of the wall to ensure a sandy beach is still present. Sadly few people in the general public have much understanding of soft sediment coastal engineering!

Wow I hope they have a good anchor. That thing being thrown against the station in a storm would result in the same sort of effect seen when one of the Lymington - Yarmouth ferries hit the pier at Lyminghton. The platform was pushed out of gauge at a train hit it.

..and yet at the slightest hint of a bit of a blow, GWR, are now taking  the same position of XC, and get scared of running a service.
Nothing running 05.30 - 08.30 Wednesday 16/12

..and yet at the slightest hint of a bit of a blow, GWR, are now taking  the same position of XC, and get scared of running a service.
Nothing running 05.30 - 08.30 Wednesday 16/12

Did not my famous crystal ball predict ....

..and yet at the slightest hint of a bit of a blow, GWR, are now taking  the same position of XC, and get scared of running a service.
Nothing running 05.30 - 08.30 Wednesday 16/12

Interesting to compare the views on the webcams this morning - not too much water coming over onto the tracks on the Blenheim cam (where the wall has been rebuilt), a lot more coming over on the San Remo (where it hasn't).

On a separate but related note, the ?Dawlish Special Mode?, aimed at improving engine performance when hit by waves on the Class 802 fleet, is just in the process of being enabled.

Pieces from new Dawlish Sea Wall falling into sea

Less than three months after it was unveiled, Network Rail are investigating a problem with the new ?80m Dawlish sea wall.

The sea wall, which is designed to protect the Great Western mainline which runs adjacent to it, was built to prevent a repeat of an incident in 2014 where the collapse of the sea wall severed the railway line causing months of misery for commuters.

However, just months after the completed phase one of the project was unveiled in September by Minister of State for Transport, Chris Heaton-Harris, residents have reported seeing black material coming detached from the sea wall into the water below, raising concerns for the safety of the structure in addition to the environmental impact of the material ending up in the sea.

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/pieces-new-dawlish-sea-wall-4812918 (https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/pieces-new-dawlish-sea-wall-4812918)


Continues in the link...

It is seven years since it was swept into the sea overnight on February 4 and 5, 2014.

Network Rail is forging ahead with the second phase of elevating the sea wall in a huge engineering feat involving Europe's only 'wavewalker' barge to protect the line from the sea for the next 100 years.

Construction of this section of the £80 million upgrade will take around two years to complete and follows years of detailed studies, designs and joint working between world-leading marine, coastal and railway engineering experts.

But the other part of the wider scheme which involves moving the line 'out to sea', claiming much of Holcombe beach, to protect the line from cliff falls have been paused in the face of huge opposition, led by the Save Teignmouth Beach campaign.

And there are fears that it will be at least another seven years until that crucial phase of work begins.

The line is the only rail route west of Exeter and is a vital for economic growth and reliable services into the whole of the South West.

Tudor Evans, leader of Plymouth City Council, said: "We need a fast resilient railway and we are not even half way to securing one.

"At the time when all the talk in Government is all about HS2 what can we do to get the Government to listen to us?

"I cannot think of another city or region of our size in the country that the government would dare treat like this.

"My call is for our MPs to make some demands like their counterparts elsewhere are doing. We need them to put on the pressure, we need urgency to make sure our message is heard."

Amazing.  We complain about lack of progress, but we also seem to require that local residents are almost able to veto any change. 

Can’t have it both ways...

Paul

PS - didn’t we hope to keep Dawlish resilience discussion here: http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=22771.0

I know this picture IS NOT WHAT IS PLANNED ... flashed up on my screen this morning and what looked like railway tracks across the bottom right corner, with a leisure and fanfare facility on the seaward side.  I wonder what the good folks of Dawlish might make of that ...

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/dawlnew.jpg)

I was wondering about whether or not the “Wavewalker” can use its legs to rotate about a point?  It’s easy enough to visualise how it can walk along a relatively straight baseline, and if they need to they can float it at high tide, and use tugs.

All the videos I’ve seen seem to show it moving in a straight line.

Paul

If the cliff falls down it blocks the railway line!

Network Rail has submitted plans to Teignbridge District Council to extend an existing rockfall shelter over the railway line between Dawlish and Holcombe.

The 209m long extension of the rockfall shelter north of Parsons Tunnel will help protect trains against falling rocks along this section of vital stretch of railway that connects communities across the south west with the rest of the UK, which is home to a number of cliffs in close proximity to the railway line.

Dawlish beach cam man reckons the Wavewalker is departing today. A couple of videos he uploaded yesterday suggest the piling is complete along most of the “station to Coastguards” length. 

Eg this one:  https://youtu.be/QemcfkJY174

Paul

Teignbridge District Council has approved @networkrailwest's plans for a rockfall shelter over the railway line between Dawlish and Holcombe in Devon.Work should start in August, and take around a year to complete.

Police and Network Rail issue warning after trespass incident increase in Dawlish

The British Transport Police have teamed up with Network Rail once again to issue a warning after a number of trespass incidents in Dawlish, Devon.

Network Rail is working on the new sea wall in Dawlish and has closed a footpath whilst work takes place. A temporary route has however been put in place between Dawlish and Dawlish Warren.

The latest warning follows on from a previous warning back in April

Since the footpath was closed, a number of incidents have seen people climbing on the all and walking next to the railway, where trains pass at up to 75mph.

In May, 18 incidents happened on the line and multiple people were caught on camera in the past few weeks.

In one of the instances, a person climbed on the wall with a dog (not on a lead) and caused a train to make an emergency stop.

Other incidents have seen people fall off the wall and need assistance to get off the tracks.

The BTP and Network Rail are now urging people to stay off the tracks.

Embedded Inspector Darren Burridge from British Transport Police said: “We see hundreds of people taking risks on and around the railway every year, resulting in tragic consequences or life-changing injuries. Both outcomes are avoidable.

“Our network of uniformed and plain-clothed police officers, and over 150,000 CCTV cameras, monitor the railway 24/7 – we will actively pursue and take positive action against those who fail to comply with the simple instruction not to trespass.”

Alison Kramer, Community Safety Manager for Network Rail’s Western route, said: “During the half term holidays at the end of May, Network Rail staff spent the week on the sea wall talking to visitors about the work, explaining the diversion route and providing everyone with maps, so I am appalled that this type of reckless behaviour is still happening.

“The diversion adds a few minutes onto the time it takes to walk between Dawlish and Dawlish Warren, is it really worth risking yours and other people’s lives for the sake of a few minutes?

“The diversion route is there to ensure the safe running of the railway and we urge everyone to observe it. I encourage anyone who may witness acts of illegal trespassing to report it the British Transport Police”

Not seen the description "Embedded Inspector" before. Have the contractors embedded him in concrete?

Not seen the description "Embedded Inspector" before. Have the contractors embedded him in concrete?

The railway through Dawlish is now better protected as construction of the new, bigger sea wall has reached another major milestone.

The installation of all 164 wall panels, 203 pre-cast blocks and 189 recurve units which return waves back out to sea is now complete. This innovative design coupled with the increased height of the new sea wall will help prevent delays and disruption to passengers by minimising the likelihood of the tracks flooding and allowing the line to reopen more quickly after major storms.

The first section of new sea wall – which runs for 360 metres along Marine Parade south west of Dawlish station – was completed in July 2020. Construction of the 415 metre second section – stretching from Coastguard breakwater northeast of Dawlish station to Colonnade breakwater – began in November 2020.

Following the significant progress made installing the wall panels, blocks and recurve units, Network Rail and its contractors BAM Nuttall are now fully focused on completing the link bridge that will connect the two sections of public, accessible promenade and the new stilling basin, where Dawlish Water runs into the sea.

This work is now expected to be finished in December, due to the discovery of an uncharted gas main in June which delayed piling to install foundations for the new link bridge close to Colonnade viaduct...

This video may be of interest, it shows the Teramare ship being used for delivering heavy plant to the worksite.
https://www.dawlishbeach.com/2021/11/how-do-they-get-the-large-machinery-to-the-beach/ (https://www.dawlishbeach.com/2021/11/how-do-they-get-the-large-machinery-to-the-beach/)

That’s a repeat of your post #119 in April 2022, is that definitely what you meant to post today?

Paul