Network Rail's plan to temporarily close the Colonnade underpass between Dawlish beach and town centre has been criticised by some local business and people with disabilities and young children.
Some worry that the 12 closure (which starts on June 13th) will drive tourists away and damage the economy while others who use wheelchairs and push chairs say they won't be able to use the pedestrian bridge on Marine Parade
Network Rail says the closure is a key stage of the construction on the second section of the new, bigger sea wall that is being built to protect the coastal railway and town from storms and rising sea levels.
It says the blockade is needed for safety reasons while engineers install the foundations for a new bridge that will connect the two sections of new accessible public promenade and for the box culvert through which Dawlish Water will flow into the sea.
Engineers will be operating large and heavy machinery to install 20-metre-long foundations, required due to the poor ground conditions in this area.
Network Rail says safety is its number one priority, and the size and location of this machinery means the underpass therefore needs to be closed during construction.
Delaying it until after the summer months is not possible due to the extreme weather that the Dawlish coastline can experience. Postponing this work would also prevent the second section of sea wall reopening to the public in September as planned.
Once complete it will link up with the first section of sea wall and mean residents and visitors alike will be able to walk along a wider and safer promenade from Boat Cove, south of Dawlish station, nearly a kilometre to Coastguard breakwater to the north before continuing uninterrupted to Dawlish Warren along the original sea wall. They will also enjoy step free access to the beaches and station.
Julie Gregory, Network Rail Senior Sponsor, said: “I would like to apologise for any disruption the closure of the Town Gateway/Colonnade underpass may cause and sincerely thank residents, businesses and visitors for their patience and understanding while we complete this critical, final stage of construction.
“I appreciate this closure will be disappointing for the community, especially for people with accessibility needs or those with pushchairs and particularly during the busier summer months.
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