DAWLISH Town Council is to invite a representative from Network Rail to explain intentions with regard to maintenance and cleaning of the area bounding the rail line in the district. The move comes after Cllr Ted Hockin expressed concerns at the state of Dawlish station, the viaduct and emergency access at Dawlish Warren. 'In this year of celebrating Brunel, I am sure he would turn in his grave if he were to look at the state of the station and viaduct,' he said. 'For many years the environmental department at Teignbridge, without any success, has been pressing Network Rail to sort out the mess created by the pigeons under the viaduct. When I suggested that the area be pressure hosed I was advised that the dust coming from these droppings was harmful to health and would require to be cleared by experts. 'I appreciate that this stretch of line is very expensive to maintain but this does not provide them with an excuse not to keep the station and viaduct in good condition. At present it is a rusty disgrace and as it is visually important to the town it needs to be regularly maintained.' He said that railway property adjoining the Lady's Mile footpath at Dawlish Warren was 'filthy'. The town clerk, John Winchester, has written a letter inviting a representative of Network Rail to a council meeting.
