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<p>Since December 2013, services on the 20 minute journey from Newton Abbot to Paignton
have operated approximately every half an hour, an improvement on the previous hourly
service with an additional 12 trains per day. The additional service was promoted
by Torbay and Devon County Council and part funded by an EU grant.</p><p> </p><p>There
are long standing aspirations to maintain and expand this service supported by recommendations
in Network Rail’s Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS). The Department’s Rail Executive
is in ongoing discussions with First Great Western and Network Rail about the continuation
and expansion of this service and responses to our 2014 Great Western consultation
showed strong support for this.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, Network Rail continues
to focus on the ongoing work as to whether a new or reopened inland route should be
constructed to provide a more resilient railway for the South West, in addition to
what works are ongoing to improve Dawlish itself.</p><p>Options for maintaining a
resilient rail service to the Southwest Peninsula were presented by Network Rail to
the Secretary of State in July 2014. The options will influence the next industry
plan in 2016 and inform the Government’s rail investment strategy for 2019-2024.</p><p>
</p><p>Network Rail is progressing work on the existing rail route via Dawlish to
ensure that future route failure is avoided.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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