A PETITION calling on the Government to reinstate the last phase of works to protect the vulnerable coastal rail line between Dawlish and Teignmouth has secured almost 350 signatures in just four days.

The petition was launched by Modern Railways Deputy Editor and rail campaigner Andy Bowes-Roden who described the cliffs above the main line as the ‘Sword of Damocles’.

Phase 5 of the long-term South West Rail Resilience Programme was due to have strengthened the cliffs at Holcombe.

But the Government has failed to provide funding for the last piece of the resilience jigsaw with the cash being earmarked on other schemes.

Mr Mr Bowes-Roden – who led the successful campaign to save the ‘Night Riviera’ sleeper train from closure in 2005 - says the works must be completed.

He said: ‘These cliffs were identified as by far the biggest geotechnical risk to the railway by Network Rail in 2014 after 20,000 tonnes of rock fell onto the railway, closing it for two months - and they remain so.

‘Until these vital works are completed, those cliffs are a sandstone Sword of Damocles hanging over our beautiful but fragile railway.

‘Should they fall again, a huge area of the country will lose its only rail link for weeks – and potentially months.

‘We need as many people as possible to sign the

petition, write to their MP and to travel on the railway to make an inarguable case to the Government that the full resilience programme must be completed.

‘We know from the success of Save Our Sleeper that if the South West speaks with one voice we can all make a positive difference – and secure the future of this lifeline transport link against the effects of a major cliff fall.’

On July 8, the Government announced it was pausing Phase 5 of the South West Rail Resilience Programme, saying: ‘We have already invested significantly in securing the cliffs and making the coastline more resilient and need to focus our investment on other projects around the country.

'We will keep this scheme under review and for funding at future fiscal events.’

This phase is considered to be ‘crucial’ for fortifying railway infrastructure against potential rockfalls, ensuring safe and uninterrupted connectivity residents, businesses, and tourists who rely on this line daily.

Newton Abbot MP Martin Wrigley also says the work must be completed.

He said: ‘It was extremely disappointing and frustrating to all involved that the Government haven’t committed the funding to enable completion of the programme.

‘Whilst the work completed so far has provided much needed improvements to the sea wall to protect this vital line, the final phase would have ensured the protection of the track between Holcombe and Teignmouth.

‘It was this section that was closed for eight weeks when a huge landslip occurred which resulted in 50 towns and villages being cut off from the rest of the country, and a financial loss to the South West economy of £1.2 billion and it was fortunate a train wasn’t passing at the time, as that could have been catastrophic.

‘The decision not to fund this final stage of the project is short sighted, not only for the financial

implications for the region and business investment confidence, but also in terms of public safety.’

The petition is at www.change.org/SaveOurRailway.