FORMAL plans for the second phase of the £80m scheme to protect the railway line at Dawlish have been submitted.

Network Rail have put forward their plans to protect the railway line and passengers from the coastal elements and will help Dawlish to become more resilient to the effects of climate change.

The plans for the section of 415m between Coastguards and Colonnade breakwaters, includes a new taller sea wall incorporating a high-level wider and safer public promenade, pedestrian access to the beach.

A footbridge to link the two parts of the sea wall and a new accessible footbridge with lifts for the railway station are also included in the scheme.

It follows work which is nearing completion on the first section of the new sea wall at Marine Parade.

The new structure will provide greater protection from rising sea levels and extreme weather for generations to come, and help improve the long-term resilience of the line which links Devon and Cornwall to the rest of the UK.

The Listed Building Consent application has now been submitted to Teignbridge District Council for the scheme, and a statement with it says the proposal will ensure long-term survival of the railway for future generations to enjoy.

To help explain the plans Network Rail has sent letters and a factsheet to more than 1,900 Dawlish residents, while a public teleconference will also take place to answer questions from the public and further explain the plans.

This will replace a community drop-in event, which is not possible due to the coronavirus crisis.

Phase one of the Dawlish sea wall scheme, which is set to be complete before the summer season, will see at Marine Parade the wall raised from its current height of 5m to 7.5m, widen the walkway to 4m from its current 3.1m width, and include a barrier between the pedestrians and the edge of the to stop people falling off the wall.