Railwatch

Published by Railfuture

Railwatch is the quarterly magazine of Railfuture, which is free to members.


Non-members can subscribe to Railwatch, receiving it by post.

Subscribe

Railwatch 086 - November 2000

South West

By Gerard Duddridge (G.A.Duddridge@exeter.ac.uk)

The Rail Passengers Committee for the West of England published its aspirations for the rail network in September with the document Western Advance - A plan for the growth of rail passenger services within Western England 2001-2020. Many proposals discussed in our South West Rail Strategy have been included.

In Devon, the railway from Barnstaple to Bideford and from Bere Alston to Tavistock would be reopened. A feasibility study for Okehampton to Tavistock and for the Sidmouth line, are included. Only missing from our own list of priorities is the four miles of disused railway from Tiverton to the Great Western main line at Tiverton Junction and extension of Paignton trains to Goodrington (park and ride) and beyond. In Cornwall, diversion of the Newquay line to serve St Austell and links to Bodmin and Wadebridge are supported.

Train frequencies would be improved by the provision of new passing loops on the Falmouth, Exmouth and Barnstaple lines. Track would be redoubled on the Cornish main line (Probus to Burngullow Junction) and from Exeter to Salisbury. Modernisation of the Great Western main line is called for with London to Exeter in 100 minutes and Penzance to Reading in 200 minutes.

If these aspirations are to become reality, the Strategic Rail Authority must incorporate these ideas into the franchise replacement process. It does seem there is a real chance of seeing an expanded south-west rail network, but there are still those working against it. Protection of the disused trackbeds remains vital. On the approach to the closed Sidmouth station houses have been under construction this year and they now block the route. It is not clear why, after so much campaigning, East Devon District Council continues to permit such development.

Note: contact details (postal and email addresses, along with telephone numbers) in old editions of Railwatch out of date. Click CONTACT US for latest contact details.


[Issue 86 Index]

[Railwatch Home] [Prev Issue (85)] [Railwatch Issues] [RIS Progress Reports] [SRUBLUK Progress Reports] [Next Issue (87)] [Railfuture Home]


Rail users are encouraged to join Railfuture to help us campaign for a bigger and better railway - membership for individuals is just £20 per year

Railfuture is an independent, voluntary group representing rail users in Britain with 20,000 affiliated and individual members. It is not funded by train companies, political parties or trade unions, and all members have an equal say.

Railfuture campaigns for cheap and convenient rail services for everyone; better links for buses, bikes and pedestrians; policies to get more heavy lorries on to rail; new lines, stations and freight terminals. In short, a better rail service and a bigger rail system for both passengers and freight.

Railfuture is pro-rail but not anti-road or anti-air. However, we campaign for a switch from road and air to rail. We do not interfere in the running of the railway - we campaign for the quality and range of services provided, not how they are delivered. We are the only champion of all rail users.


Railfuture is the campaigning name of Railfuture Ltd.

A not-for-profit Company Limited by Guarantee.

Registered in England and Wales No. 05011634.

Registered Office: Edinburgh House, 1-5 Bellevue Road, Clevedon, North Somerset BS21 7NP (for legal correspondence only).

All other correspondence to 14 Ghent Field Circle, Thurston, Suffolk IP31 3UP


© Copyright Railfuture Ltd 2024.

Railfuture is happy for extracts to be used by journalists, researchers and students. We would, however, appreciate a mention of Railfuture in any article, website or programme. Except with Railfuture's express written permission, no one should distribute or commercially exploit the content.


Privacy Statement

Click Privacy to read Railfuture's GDPR statement on how we treat your data.

08.03.2024

This site does not use its own cookies, although Google Analytics does. Hosted by TSO Host (cPanel) and maintained for Railfuture by Billing Specialists Ltd.