Storm damage forces closure of railway line

Storm damage forces closure of railway lineBBC/Johnny RutherfordGreat Western Railway is urging passengers not to attempt to travel on the line due to damage at DawlishThe only railway line to the south-west of England has been partially shut until further notice after a sea wall next to it crumbled in a storm. Great Western Railway (GWR) urged passengers not to attempt to travel on the line between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot due to the damage at Dawlish. A sea wall protecting the railway line in the town collapsed in two places as Storm Ingrid lashed the south Devon coast on Saturday. Network Rail had issued a black alert, its highest warning, as 12ft (4m) waves pounded the sea wall. Network RailNetwork Rail is due to carry out an inspection of the lineIt is only the second time a black alert has been issued since a storm destroyed sections of the track around Dawlish in February 2014. In an update, GWR said: "Due to damage caused by Storm Ingrid the lines between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot remain closed until further notice."Please do not attempt to travel on this route."For those needing to make their journey, replacement transport is available at Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot."Spokesman James Davis told BBC Radio Devon the storm left "significant debris" on a two-mile (3.2km) section of the Dawlish track. He said about half of it was cleared on Saturday but the rest still needed to be taken away and the line inspected before it could reopen."Hopefully we'll have that option later today but at this moment in time until Network Rail has completed that repair work that line will remain closed," he said. Part of Teignmouth Grand Pier has washed away in the stormDavis said the firm was "cautiously optimistic" part of the line would be able to reopen to run a limited service but he warned of significant disruption."That is really dependent on what Network Rail find as they inspect that line," he said."If you're travelling further afield there is a limited bus replacement service operating."That's a lot of buses to be able to cope with the same numbers. "Those buses just don't exist in the country to provide a like for like service."Really do consider if your journey is necessary."Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram.