Work to protect the coastal stretch of rail line near Dawlish has taken a major step forward with a £28million contract to construct an extension of the existing rockfall shelter awarded to Morgan Sindall Infrastructure.
The construction firm intends to start construction of the 209m long extension north of Parsons Tunnel between Dawlish and Holcombe in August. Construction of the rockfall shelter is expected to take a year and, once complete, will help protect trains against falling rocks along this section of vital railway that connects all the South West with the rest of the country.
Peter Kirk, managing director of Morgan Sindall Infrastructure’s rail business unit, said: “Parsons Tunnel North Portal is an incredibly complex project and we are extremely pleased to bring a number of innovations to this project, helping to ensure the resilience of the railway line for the local community and those travelling to and from the area.”
Parsons Tunnel was previously extended 100 years ago and this project will extend that further by providing a rockfall shelter in modern materials, but with open sides rather than the brick built enclosed tunnel extension.
The rockfall shelter will be constructed from a series of six metre modular pre-cast concrete sections. Faced with the challenging coastal location, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure has developed an innovative installation method to minimise the risk of weather-related disruption and reduce the impact on train services.
Network Rail engineers started cutting back some of the vegetation in March as part of preparatory work at the top of the cliffs overlooking this stretch of railway.
Network Rail said that the work is being closely monitored to ensure the least disruption for wildlife habitats and biodiversity.
This rockfall shelter, which is the third phase of work as part of Network Rail’s South West Rail Resilience Programme (SWRRP) and follows the two sections of new sea wall in Dawlish, is critical to ensuring the resilience of the railway between Dawlish and Teignmouth for generations to come and protecting this critical route from falling debris.
Network Rail say that this latest phase will bring new jobs and apprenticeships, as well as using the local supply chain. The impact of the scheme aims to create £10million in long-term opportunities for the local area.
Chris Pearce, Network Rail’s Western route interim director, said: “ In every phase of work we have ensured our activities are also benefitting the local economy and I am pleased that this latest contract award will continue to support that commitment.”
This investment builds upon the £10m that is expected to be spent with local businesses during Network Rail’s construction of the second section of new sea wall at Dawlish which began last November, and follows the £5million spent on local labour, suppliers and accommodation during the first section of the new sea wall which was completed last July.
