Dawlish's colonnade underpass will be open this weekend and over the bank holiday weekend (20-21 August, 27-29 August), according to Network Rail.

The walkway under the railway line has been closed since the end of July when engineering works restarted after the capping off of an uncharted gas main.

Step-free access to the beach and sea wall promenade will be available after contractors BAM Nuttall built a path for the public to safely navigate the underpass.

Network Rail added that it hopes to be able to keep the walkway open for "at least part of next week".

The foundations for a bridge connecting two sections of the new sea wall have now been installed, and work on a culvert for Dawlish Water to flow out to sea is underway.