Dawlish Sea Wall Protection
Dawlish, Devon, UK · 2014–2023 (new sea wall construction completed 2023) · £80m (for the new sea wall)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe project was a direct response to the devastating 2014 storm damage that severed the railway line, highlighting the vulnerability of coastal infrastructure. - The new sea wall is designed to provide 100 years of protection, demonstrating a long-term resilience strategy. - Use of innovative construction techniques and materials, including low-carbon concrete. - Improved passenger experience and access at Dawlish station through a new footbridge.
Key engineering challenges
Constructing a new sea wall in a highly exposed coastal environment with challenging tidal conditions. - Protecting the operational railway line from extreme weather and rising sea levels during and after construction. - Working within a constrained site between the railway and the sea, with limited access. - Integrating the new sea wall with existing coastal defences and ensuring environmental protection.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Network Rail
- Lead contractor
- BAM Nuttall
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- new build, upgrade
- Scale
- New sea wall protecting 400m of railway line; new footbridge at Dawlish station.
- Disciplines
- civil; structural; geotechnical; marine; environmental; project management
- Standards & frameworks
- Network Rail standards
Sources: BAM (undated, https://www.bam.co.uk/case-studies/dawlish-sea-defences); Rail Engineer (Nov 2019, https://www.railengineer.co.uk/dawlish-sea-wall/); Rail Engineer (Feb 2022, https://www.railengineer.co.uk/breaking-waves-in-dawlish-new-sea-wall-playing-key-role-in-protecting-town-and-railway/); Engineering Matters (Nov 2023, https://engineeringmatters.reby.media/2023/11/10/rebuilding-the-dawlish-seawall-a-tale-of-innovation-and-resilience/); Network Rail (Nov 2020, https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Dawlish-Sea-Wall-section-2-FAQs.pdf)