Storm to close line at Dawlish evening 23rd to Saturday afternoon (and beyond)

[Dan G]

Is that a public timetabled bus, or RRS?

I was watching the webcam most of yesterday evening (better than going in person!) and there was one wave which produced spray that went off the top of the screen. That must be around 30 m; quite exceptional. The wind-borne spray hit the camera!

 

[Vexed]

Is that a public timetabled bus, or RRS?

Rail replacement. There's a roughly hourly service in journey planners and departure boards for Tiverton Parkway to Plymouth.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Jan 2026 ==

We've now been advised that journey planners are wrong and there are not replacement busses between Tiverton Parkway and Plymouth. Overnight the plans changed and all busses will be starting at Exter St Davids and running Exter St Davids to Plymouth/Newton Abbot.

 

[AndrewE]

It's just coming up to high tide and the sea is still dramatic there, big surges running under the road bridge up to the small weir, also big waves being deflected upwards. Lots of foam about still, so you can't see whether there is any debris too, or damage to the railway or sea-wall in the bit that we can see.

 

[VP185]

Part of the seawall has collapsed onto the down main.

 

[SpannerWeilder]

You can see what's happening in Dawlish on the webcam

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

I've stood there many times in "interesting" weather, but nothing as rough as that. As others have said, it's not just water that gets thrown up, but pebbles and other debris that could cause significant damage or a derailment. Just not worth the risk of running.

 

[dosxuk]

Part of the seawall has collapsed onto the down main.

That doesn't look like the sea wall, just the line-side wall separating the railway from the coast path. Still going to need to be tidied up before the line can reopen, but it's not like the previous collapse where the actual sea wall gave in.

 

[dk1]

That doesn't look like the sea wall, just the line-side wall separating the railway from the coast path. Still going to need to be tidied up before the line can reopen, but it's not like the previous collapse where the actual sea wall gave in.

You can often see parts of that path wall that have been repaired & patched up over the years. Hopefully get the line open but possibly close the walk way for a time.

 

[VP185]

That doesn't look like the sea wall, just the line-side wall separating the railway from the coast path. Still going to need to be tidied up before the line can reopen, but it's not like the previous collapse where the actual sea wall gave in.

Depends how pedantic you want to be! It's effectively built on the seawall and prevents the railway being washed away or constantly flooded

 

[swt_passenger]

Depends how pedantic you want to be! It's effectively built on the seawall and prevents the railway being washed away or constantly flooded

Yes, but it’s not the section that’s had millions spent on it, and damage at any location seems to be used as an excuse to complain about the expensive improvements.

 

[VP185]

Yes, but it’s not the section that’s had millions spent on it, and damage at any location seems to be used as an excuse to complain about the expensive improvements.

Very true.

 

[Rich McLean]

If its just the paraphet, then a cleanup, close the sea wall path and reballast is what would be required to get trains running. The Parapehts and walkways can then be repaired over the comings weeks with the path closed. It's an inconviennce, but not a major issue.

 

[VP185]

If its just the paraphet, then a cleanup, close the sea wall path and reballast is what would be required to get trains running. The Parapehts and walkways can then be repaired over the comings weeks with the path closed. It's an inconviennce, but not a major issue.

Again, it's the parapet that prevents sea water washing away the railway. I guess they could use sandbags to patch the section of wall to secure the railway though.

 

[swt_passenger]

The wall damage might help NR persuade DfT that the ‘recurve’ wall needs extending towards Dawlish Warren. It’s supposed to be a future phase, like the stretch near Teignmouth that was deferred after local objections.

 

[Rich McLean]

Again, it's the parapet that prevents sea water washing away the railway. I guess they could use sandbags to patch the section of wall to secure the railway though.

Yes, a tempory measure can be used used to keep ballast in place. The alternative is to close the line for longer until paraphet repairs (and reballast) are completed. I would like to think the line will be closed until Monday to give NR a chance to clean it up and make repairs.

 

[dk1]

Yes, but it’s not the section that’s had millions spent on it, and damage at any location seems to be used as an excuse to complain about the expensive improvements.

Why after all this time do they still fret about how much was spent on it? Did the job and done now. I find most of the comments on social media are from small minded keyboard warriors who either think they’re funny or more likely have no clue what they are spouting about

 

[VP185]

Yes, a tempory measure can be used used to keep ballast in place. The alternative is to close the line for longer until paraphet repairs (and reballast) are completed. I would like to think the line will be closed until Monday to give NR a chance to clean it up and make repairs.

I would think Monday is most likely, a lot is going to depend on the cliffs between Teignmouth and Parsons Tunnel.

 

[185143]

I would think Monday is most likely, a lot is going to depend on the cliffs between Teignmouth and Parsons Tunnel.

I'm supposed to be on the sleeper tomorrow night to London. I'm not expecting to be, but I'm yet to find any confirmation of it being cancelled.

I'd rather they cancelled it sooner rather than later and I can extend my hotel.

 

[Sporty60]

Any repairs are akin to getting an old and rusty Ford Fiesta welded up to pass its M.O.T.

 

[cats_five]

Any repairs are akin to getting an old and rusty Ford Fiesta welded up to pass its M.O.T.

What do you suggest instead?

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Shot of the damaged wall.

Dawlish

 

[TheLastMinute]

Shot of the damaged wall.

And another photo, plus damage to the pier at Teignmouth.

BBC News - Pier washes away and railway sea wall crumbles in storm

 

[co-tr-paul]

I'm supposed to be on the sleeper tomorrow night to London. I'm not expecting to be, but I'm yet to find any confirmation of it being cancelled.

I'd rather they cancelled it sooner rather than later and I can extend my hotel.

It's been prepped and berths allocated ( only 4 slep so some changes ) with 57301 but it's down to Network Rail now... (1230 sat ).

 

[DelW]

Again, it's the parapet that prevents sea water washing away the railway. I guess they could use sandbags to patch the section of wall to secure the railway though.

Sandbags wouldn't last five minutes against tide and wind. Something like linkable concrete barriers as used on motorway works might be adequate for short term protection.

Similar to these:

Temporary Vertical Concrete Barriers | TVCB

Maltaward are one of the leading suppliers of Temporary Vertical Concrete Barriers (TVCBs) in the UK. Buy or hire. Get a free quote.

www.maltaward.co.uk

Features & Specifications
Temporary Vertical Concrete Barriers often known as TVCB’s conform to BS EN 1317 standards and are 3m long by 0.45m wide and 0.8m high. They weigh 2½ tonnes and can be bolted together for extra security. The TVCB offers a versatile design that ensures safety and security, they are a fully interlocking system, which we can be deployed across the UK. The Barriers are a non-permanent fixing which are quickly and easily installed anywhere without damage to the existing surfaces.

 

[fgwrich]

The wall damage might help NR persuade DfT that the ‘recurve’ wall needs extending towards Dawlish Warren. It’s supposed to be a future phase, like the stretch near Teignmouth that was deferred after local objections.

If I’m honest, I think that this storm may lead to the consideration of some defences further out to sea. Photos from Richard Heiron and others on Facebook show that whilst the wave recurve blocks have been sending the majority of the waves back into the direction of the sea, they are then being lifted by the wind causing the debris and flooding to be spread across the track and town centre. It also appears to be part of why the track through the station has flooded.

Dawlish residents certainly have been after a breakwater and I wonder if this may be up for consideration now?

Also, note that the damaged part of the wall by sea view terrace is adjoining the 2014 rebuild.

(Three photos from Richard Heiron posted in the railways of Devon and Cornwall group showing the returned waves blown over the sea wall and flooding through Dawlish station)

Link for those who are in the group

Railways of Devon & Cornwall | I can see why the trains are not running this morning...good ole Dawlish | Facebook

I can see why the trains are not running this morning...good ole Dawlish

www.facebook.com

 

[ScottGallagher]

Slighty o/t but assuming the angry sea has been an issue since opening, how did the steam trains and crew cope with the open cabs! The station also must be a maintenance nightmare, though not so much a cleaning one.

 

[fgwrich]

Interestingly, despite the wind both the Okehampton and Gunnislake lines have remained open.

How is Cowley Bridge holding up this weekend? Hopefully no flooding between there and Crediton?

 

[Snow1964]

Slighty o/t but assuming the angry sea has been an issue since opening, how did the steam trains and crew cope with the open cabs! The station also must be a maintenance nightmare, though not so much a cleaning one.

In broad gauge days the line was single track, the part from Dawlish area through the tunnels towards Teignmouth was only doubled after carefully digging a wall and rebuilding the brick lining and arch further back, presumably in very short sections, bit by bit to avoid collapse, to make tunnels wider. There is an information board on the seawall near first tunnel, can't remember what it says, but the doubling was not until something like 1902.

I do not know which side it was doubled, inland or nearer the sea wall, so could be in days of early locos with fully open cabs (which would have been broad gauge) the track was few feet further away from sea.

 

[Cowley]

How is Cowley Bridge holding up this weekend? Hopefully no flooding between there and Crediton?

I’ve not been out towards Crediton today but the rivers around Cowley Bridge are pretty low considering how much rain we’ve had. They may well rise a little higher still but I don’t think it’ll be by very much.

The works done on improving the flow through Exeter’s pinch points in the past few years has made a dramatic difference. In previous years the fields around Cowley Bridge flood plain would stay flooded for a good few days but they barely flood at all now.

Edit - Mrs C has just been out for a walk and took a photo of the Creedy just north of Cowley. Highish, but fine.

 

[Dan G]

Have the works at Hele finished?

 

[adc82140]

Why after all this time do they still fret about how much was spent on it? Did the job and done now. I find most of the comments on social media are from small minded keyboard warriors who either think they’re funny or more likely have no clue what they are spouting about

That's just a general feature of Facebook these days. Full of armchair experts on everything. Always brings to mind the Harry Enfield character: "Only me! You don't wanna do it like that, you wanna do it like this".

And don't get me started on people who post "can't park there mate" next to any pictures of vehicular mishaps. It was funny, for about 2 minutes, in 1994.