Half of the required foundations for a new accessible footbridge at Dawlish railway station were installed over the Christmas period.

Work began in September. The new footbridge, which will provide step-free access to both platforms via lifts and an uncovered walkway, is due to open in summer 2023.

CGI mock-up of footbridge design (Network Rail)

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "We've finished our Christmas work at Dawlish station... thanks to everyone for your patience while we worked around the clock.

"We installed foundations for the new accessible footbridge with lifts for Dawlish station, which is due to open in the summer."

What is the progress of other projects at the railway?

Work on the first section of the sea wall at Dawlish from Kennaway Tunnel at Boat Cove along Marine Parade to the Colonnade breakwater (on Dawlish Town Beach) was completed in July 2020.

The second section of the sea wall is from the Colonnade breakwater to the Coastguard breakwater. Work began in November 2020.

Work on a new link bridge connecting the two sections of the new sea wall began in June 2022 and is expected to be complete by around the end of January.

Netting and fencing work on the cliffs between Dawlish and Holcombe to protect the railway from falling debris will start in spring 2023.

Work on a rockfall shelter north of Parson's Tunnel between Dawlish and Holcombe began in late 2021 and is due to be complete in autumn 2023.