Devon railway to be reconnected by April 4
4th March 2014
Categories: Visitor News
Devon’s main rail line will be reconnected by April 4, Network Rail has announced – in time for those coming to Devon for the Easter holidays.
The Great Western Main Line through Dawlish, which connects West Devon and Cornwall to the national rail network should reopen by Friday 4 April – two weeks earlier than the previous mid-April estimate.
Read about free things to to in Devon this Easter
Innovative approaches to sea defence and round-the-clock working by a team of more than 300 engineers have already seen huge amounts of rebuilding work completed along the damaged seafront. The main 100m breach has been repaired with nearly 5,000 tonnes of concrete and 150 tonnes of steel, and a new 200m track is ready-built for installation.
Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin said: “ Today’s confirmation that the line should now be back in operation before the Easter holidays will be a real boost for local communities and businesses,” whilst Patrick Hallgate, Network Rail’s Western route managing director, said: “We are determined to complete this work in time for the school holidays”.
Carolyn Custerson, chairman of Visit Devon and chief executive of English Riviera, said: “It’s excellent news that the train line is to re-open by April 4. We offer a massive thanks to the team at Network Rail who are working tirelessly to repair the line. Devon needs a fast, resilient rail service to power the regional economy and it’s great to know that all routes to Devon will be open again.”
Andy Cooper, CrossCountry managing director, added: “Every year we carry over ten thousand tourists to the region over the Easter weekend from the Midlands, the North of England and Scotland, so having direct rail services through Dawlish again will show people the railways and the South West are open for business.”
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