Railwatch 081 - October 1999

South West

By Gerard Duddridge

North Devon RDS wrote to Devon County Council on 21 May 1999 to register its objection to the plans to build the Barnstaple western bypass. Our biggest concern is that the road will block the Bideford line trackbed for about 250 metres. Although Devon County Council has said that the new road will be built with sufficient height for the Bideford line to be restored underneath, their contention that the line will not be needed in the foreseeable future must be a matter of dispute. The road itself will necessitate a pedestrian/bus underpass under the new road so as to maintain access to Barnstaple station from the south side of the town. We fear that this will produce an insecure area for rail users walking to or from the station at night. In addition RDS South West wishes to see an alignment protected for restoration of the Ilfracombe line towards Braunton. The site of the downstream bypass road bridge occupies one of the possible sites for a new rail bridge, but the road bridge could so easily be designed to accommodate a railway as well.

New fares It is many years since Barnstaple was served by through trains from London Waterloo but the North Devon line is now linked to Waterloo by a new range of Apex and SuperAdvance tickets. An Apex return from Barnstaple to Waterloo is now only £2.50 more than the Apex ticket from Exeter to Waterloo. Similar fares are also available to other intermediate stations, plus stations on the Exmouth and Paignton routes.

Rail cuts The branch has responded to the train cuts on the Falmouth, Looe, St Ives and Barnstaple lines with letters of concern to MPs, local authorities and the rail industry. Replying on 16 July, the Franchise Director's office said: "I appreciate your concerns about timetable cuts on a number of branch lines in Devon and Cornwall but as you may know the services to which you refer were all additional to the Passenger Service Requirements (PSRs) concerned. Their provision is, therefore, a matter for the train operator to decide on a commercial judgement of demand and costs. The minimum level of service which a train operator must provide is set out in the PSR which is a key part of the franchise agreement. The Franchising Director was required to base PSRs on the services which were being operated by British Rail at the time of franchising". Something seems to be amiss here as for Cornwall it is necessary to go back to 1987 to find today's PSR level of service in operation. On the Barnstaple line 12 trains operated each way in 1994 and 1995 and 11 in thefollowing year when the PSR was set at the astonishingly low level of seven trains each way.

Okehampton summer services While it is understood that passenger numbers have not reached those of the first 1997 season of operation the Summer Sunday Okehampton trains continue to be busy. The 1999 numbers will probably match those of last year. At the time of writing it is anticipated that Meldon Viaduct, which formerly carried the railway on to Tavistock and Plymouth, will have been reopened. Unfortunately it will be for pedestrians and cyclists only. The need to restore the railway continues to be ignored.

Bus-Rail links The branch is organising a meeting in Truro on Saturday 16 October 1999 to discuss the development of bus-rail links in Cornwall. Industry representativeshave been invited. Further details from our secretary on 01736 796456.

Exmouth Line A new station between Digby and Topsham (near the former Newcourt sidings) on the Exmouth branch may be considered if the adjacent disused Ministry of Defence land is developed for housing and employment. The proposed development has been outlined in the Exeter Local Plan First Review of June 1999. Meanwhile some councillors on the Exmouth Joint Working Party have proposed closing Exmouth station and providing a new station about 300 metres further away from town. Rail users might be given a bus link, but the idea is to avoid a level crossing on a new road link. As one local RDS member says: "How can people seriously make such suggestions? The station is far enough away as it is....."

Teign Valley Railway Described as, "perhaps the most unusual camping accommodation in the TeignValley" an adapted guard's van has been returned to a short section of the long-closed Teign Valley Railway. For those looking for an inexpensive holiday on the edge of Dartmoor or wishing to find out more about the privately owned Exeter and Teign Valley Railway please phone 01647 253108.

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