The colonnade underpass that allows access from the town to the beach under the railway line could close for up to 12 weeks next month, Network Rail has said.

The closure, proposed from Monday 13 June, would let engineers install foundations for a new bridge to connect two sections of the sea wall and for a channel for Dawlish Water to flow out to sea.

Network Rail has cited public safety as the reason for the proposed closure, which would be subject to consent from National Highways. It has also said that 'every effort' will be made to complete the work sooner, and if there are times during the construction when the underpass can be reopened safely then it will do so.

The reason Network Rail gave for not being able to delay work until after the summer is due to the 'extreme weather that the Dawlish coastline can experience'.

Network Rail Senior Sponsor Julie Gregory said: "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.

"However, we will never compromise on the safety of the public or our colleagues, and to ensure we remain on course to complete the second section of sea wall and open the entire promenade and both beaches in September, it is imperative this work is completed now."

The beach and promenade would still be open to the public with access from Boat Cove.