Riverside depot flooded and half a mile of trackbed is washed away
Seaton Tramway became a victim of Friday’s storms.
It was due to re-open the following day for the half-term break but the culmination of high tides, gale force winds and heavy rain forced managers to suspend services until further notice.
Ground floor offices at the riverside depot had to be pumped out by firefighters but the worst damage was to around a half mile stretch of trackbed from the bird hide, near Axmouth, to just south of Colyford Station. It was washed away leaving rails mid-air, trees uprooted and overhead power supply disrupted.
Jenny Nunn, managing director of Seaton Tramway, who was on the scene together with the engineering and track crew at first light on Saturday morning, said: “We are hoping to operate a service shortly from Colyton to Colyford until the track southbound to Seaton can be repaired. I am confident that we will be employing all resources within our power to get us back on track as soon as is humanly possible.”
* Seaton Tramway is an important tourist attraction and a significant part of Seaton and Colyton’s economic lifeblood bringing 90,000+ visitors per annum to the immediate area and employing over 50 seasonal and full time staff. The Tramstop Café and gift shop at Colyton Station will remain open to the public during the advertised service and Riverside Depot is once again fully operational.
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