Earlier this week I met with the Chair of the Peninsula Rail Task Force (PRTF), Councillor Andrea Davis, to talk about the progress being made on sorting the railway line at Dawlish.

As we all know, the ongoing challenges at Dawlish continue to impact certain trains as they make their way to and from the far South West. The knock-on effect on the connectivity of our region remains one of the biggest issues facing local businesses, commuters and tourists coming in and out out Devon and Cornwall.

It is almost five years since the line was washed away at Dawlish and we upped the pressed on the Government to find a longer term solution to the vulnerability of the railway line as it runs along the sea wall.

During our meeting, Cllr Davis spoke of the work the PRTF has been doing to continue the pressure on the Government to fund a solution to our railway line. It seems that good news is a matter of weeks away and I will of course update on here as soon as any announcement is made.

I was also able to meet with the CEO of Network Rail this week for an update on their work and to press them for more action. Working together to find a workable solution is essential.