Contract signed for next phase of Dawlish coastal rail line upgrade

Network Rail has awarded BAM Nuttall the contract to design a series of resilience measures along the iconic coastal railway between Dawlish and Holcombe, south Devon.

The scheme, which aims to protect the track from falling debris from the cliffs, is the next phase of works which aims to keep this vital transport artery open for the South West.

BAM Nuttall has already been involved in the scheme to shore up the coastal rail route that was washed away at Dawlish during the storms of February 2014.

Since then, work has been ongoing to create two new sections of sea wall and to protect the cliff face from Dawlish to Teignmouth from further erosion.

Huw Jones, BAM Nuttall Managing Director, Transport said: “BAM is proud to have played a vital part in the restoration and safeguarding of the vital south-western route on behalf of Network Rail and the SWRRP.

“BAM’s team in Dawlish has demonstrated incredible skill, creativity and determination to deliver a sea wall which will protect the railway and Dawlish centre for many decades to come and I’m delighted that this appointment will enable them to continue delivering further protections for the Devonshire railway.”

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The South West Rail Resilience Programme (SWRRP) was established