Destroyed train line to Plymouth and Cornwall re-opens after eight weeks

The destroyed train line at Dawlish in South West England has reopened after eight weeks of repairs by Network Rail.

The line is reopen to services with work completed on the track, although with temporary signalling in place until signalling can fully be restored, and work still to take place on rebuilding Brunel's original sea-wall, with a temporary shipping container sea wall in place instead. An access road and the coastal path from Teignmouth to Dawlish are also still to be rebuilt.

The Prime Minister attended the reopening of the line that was closed after winter storms wrecked it earlier this year. David Cameron said it was "a great day for businesses and commuters whose lives have been turned upside down by the devastating loss of their train line. I promised to do everything I could to get this vital artery back up and running as quickly as possible."

The PM also highlighted the £31m announced for schemes to improve the resilience of the network, and also asked Network Rail to examine every option to ensure the future resilience of the rail line to Plymouth and Cornwall.

Network Rail chief executive Mark Carne, praising his "army of engineers," said the organisation would now focus on looking at what can be done in the medium and long-term to make the coastal route more resilient and, by the autumn, reporting on what the best viable relief route would be.