Destroyed track costs up to £2m a day

It is going to be at least March before trains will run through Dawlish again after the sea wall underneath the line was damaged by storm force winds and heavy seas.

Network Rail says around 80m of both tracks has been severely damaged by the sea, washing away ballast and the foundations on which the track is built. There is also severe damage to the sea wall and the track and platforms at Dawlish station.

It is estimated the repairs will take around six weeks.

A spokesman said: "Network Rail engineers are on site at a number of locations in the south west of England and are making repairs where the weather conditions permit, however the line between Exeter and Plymouth will remain closed until further notice owing to the damage at Dawlish."

Passengers are advised to check with their train operator or National Rail Enquiries for the latest information on how the weather is impacting on journeys before setting off.

Tim Jones of the Devon and Cornwall Business Council said the disruption would cost businesses between £1m and £2m a day.

Meanwhile MPs from across Devon and Cornwall met Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and senior executives from Network Rail yesterday.

South West Devon Conservative MP Gary Streeter said the meeting had been “positive” adding: “We received a firm commitment to look at longer term solutions to address our resilience problem including possible alternative routes.

“I’m confident the Government has fully got a grip of it, we just need to keep the pressure on to ensure a solution is found.”

Devon County Council's Highway Operations Control Centre took more than 300 calls on Tuesday night as the county was hit by heavy rain and gusts of up to 70mph.

Exmouth, Sidmouth and Seaton seafronts were closed, and the high tides also flooded properties in Exmouth, Lympstone, Starcross and Topsham.

Fallen trees closed a number of roads across the county including Dalton Lane in Newton Poppleford, Yettington Road near Budleigh Salterton, Whitford Road at Colyton, A379 at Blackpool Sands, Fire House Lane at Abbotskerswell, Holne Cross at Ashburton, the old A30 at Rockbeare, A375 at Sidbury, and the B3186 Collaton Cross at Newton Ferrers. A tree is also down on the A399 at Brayford but the road is passable with care, and expect delays on the A377 at Barnstaple Cross where there has been a landslip.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management and Flood Prevention, said: “These are some of the most horrendous conditions I can remember, and the combination of heavy rain and strong winds is causing disruption across the county. Our staff are working hard to deal with the damage that has been caused.”

Further downpours are expected overnight tonight (Thursday) with the possibility of more storms on Friday evening into Saturday morning.

*Picture courtesy of Brian Moore