The controversial Dawlish signalbox, located on the up platform of the station, closed for many years and now almost falling down, has been covered up in plastic sheeting to avoid 'bits falling off'.

The box which has been offered for sale or rent by Network Rail, but so far has not attracted much interest is now in such a poor exterior condition that Network Rail contractors have this week (19 September 2006) wrapped most of the structure in plastic and nailed it to the upper floor using wood sections. The lower brick part of the structure has been covered in plastic in a metal frame to stop water ingress into the bricks.

One of the workers doing the covering said the structure 'was falling down' and it was just a matter of time before it collapsed. Hopefully this is not the case as it would land up on the line, could cause an accident and would close the main west of England line. Another of the workers said the work was being done before the winter bad weather to avoid further ingress of sea water into the structure.