Pre-cast concrete sections of a new 209m rockfall shelter between Dawlish and Holcombe were lifted into place over the Christmas period.

The £37.4m project is due to be completed in autumn 2023.

Installing a roof section of the rockfall shelter (Network Rail)

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

"We lifted in installed sections of the new rockfall shelter at the north portal of the tunnel."

Installing a side section of the rockfall shelter (Network Rail)

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.

A new accessible footbridge with lifts at Dawlish railway station is due to open in summer 2023 after work began in September.