MORE than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for improved safety measures along Dawlish sea wall following the death of a Ukrainian teenager. 

Fourteen-year-old Albina Yevko died after falling from the wall in March last year. 

Her mother Inna and family friend and Mayor of Dawlish Cllr Rosie Dawson, who hosted the family when they came to Dawlish in 2022, have been campaigning for better safety including handrails. 

An online petition says Albina’s family have met representatives from Network Rail. 

It says Network Rail has ‘so far refused to commit to railings and lighting to prevent another death, stating it is too expensive’. 

Network Rail says it is carrying out a risky assessment in the area but the harsh coastal environment would make handrails difficult to maintain. 

On 4 March 2023, Albina went for a walk to the shops at dusk and when she did not return her mother tried calling her numerous times, but she did not answer.

She was found on the beach and died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital the next day.

Cllr Dawson says Network Rail has been asked to put up railings and although there have been discussions about lines on the path, there had been one years ago but this was left to crumble.

Cllr Dawson also added there have never been lights along the wall. 

Neither lights nor lines would have saved Albina from falling. 

Network Rail said it was saddened by Albina’s death and that it had met her family to express condolences and discuss their concerns relating to the sea wall. 

After the 2014 collapse of the line, a risk assessment was carried out. 

The company says now the new sea wall has been completed, a new risk assessment is underway to understand if there have been any changes which would affect the level of risk in the area. 

It says handrails along all sections of the sea wall would be difficult to install and maintain effectively given the environment. 

It added: ‘All options will be considered as part of the new risk assessment.’ 

Devon County Council has responsibility for the right of way of the path.

A council spokesman said funding was agreed in 1994 towards additional signs and the trial use of a white line as a visual aid along the sea wall at the higher sections between Dawlish and Dawlish Warren.

However, the white line was soon eroded by the coastal conditions and the trial was now subsequently adopted. 

A full inquest is yet to be heard into Albina’s death.