George Deakin, of West Cliff Road, Dawlish, writes:

It is disappointing to read last week of the proposal to move the railway and destroy the beautiful beach at Holcombe and east of Teignmouth (Moving track out to sea best option say rail bosses, Teignmouth Post).

Local residents, as well as the many thousands of tourists who use the South Devon coastal path, will be upset by the tragic loss of the amenity. The current proposals (close line completely for six-12 months to remove unstable cliffs or causeway) seem very narrow-minded.

Could we not preserve part of the beach by having a bridge section or even a temporary bridge while the cliffs are stabilised? I hope the proposed consultation will have a wider range of vision. Of course, we will require input from engineers, geologists, marine biologists and ecologists to minimise the impact on the environment.

Presumably Network Rail will do all they can to compensate the local community for any loss of amenity. Can we expect an upgrade to the South Devon coastal path? Can the various sections of sea wall between Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth be modernised for safe pedestrian use – with proper handrails and some discrete lighting? Will they restore the benches at Dawlish? And will they fund the extension of the Exe trail from Dawlish to Teignmouth?

I would like to see Network Rail working with local cycling representatives, walking groups and ramblers’ associations on all of the above.