Today officially marks the one-month anniversary of the closure of the South West’s main rail link after line at Dawlish was left in tatters by extreme storm damage on the 4th February.

The closure has badly hit the South West’s economy as businesses face severe disruption to their normal activity.



The region’s tourist industry thought to have been hot particularly badly seeing significantly lower bookings than expected.



Since the destruction, Network Rail engineers have been working hurriedly to repair and reinforce the broken track often in very difficult circumstances.



The repairs are now expected to be completed by 4th of April and with the weather mostly remaining calmer in the recent weeks progress has been steady.



Network Rail has now released a time-lapse video of the repair process which shows the challenges faced by the engineers to re-open the line, including when the temporary sea wall was overcome by large waves.

Cllr Philip Vogel, Teignbridge District Council’s Executive Spokesman for Housing and Planning, said:

“We are really pleased with Network Rail's announcement.

“Since that night four weeks ago, Teignbridge has been helping residents affected, businesses and has been working with other organisations including Dawlish Town Council on a daily basis.

“I saw for myself the ferocity of the weather, the damage it wreaked and the distress it caused to residents who were forced to flee their homes.

“We’ve been signposting residents who have been displaced to various agencies who can help them and we’ve organised three residents’ meetings with a fourth one to be held this week.

“The patience, stoicism and resilience displayed by those affected has been phenomenal. It has been a really difficult time and despite everything; they’ve remained positive and co-operative.

“Teignbridge is very much open for business and that’s been reflected through the Twitter campaign #openforbusiness.

“We know that even after the line reopens there’ll still be places along the sea wall in Teignmouth and Dawlish which will remain closed for repair work. We welcome the words of Network Rail’s Western route managing director Patrick Hallgate when he says it’s something they are tackling head-on.

“Our message to residents and visitors is come along and enjoy our town centres and attractions but please obey any signs and keep areas clear so Network Rail can get on with repairing the places still affected.

“The announcement of this date will, we hope, provide the local economy and our wonderful tourism industry with a much needed boost.”