Brunel's 173 year old sea wall between Dawlish and Dawlish Warren seems to be in need of some attention. Six years after a large section fell into the sea cutting off Devon and Cornwall from the outside world, there a signs of decay in several parts of the surface path and wall. The sea has washed out cement and there are cracks in places.
With the winter storm season on the way it won't take long for the sea water to work its way in. Hydraulic and freeze thaw action could start to work the structure loose. Network Rail spends around half a million pounds a year keeping the wall in order according to local MP Anne Marie Morris (2010) but has it taken its eye off the ball while struggling to get the £80m improvement scheme on the other side of Dawlish Station off the ground?