Great Western Coffee Shop

See my full report - from Railfuture (Taunton) meeting at

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=790.0

Part of topic:

Record growth in Devon and Cornwall this year, huge optimism. Excellent support and investment from County Councils, and look what it has achieved.

St Ives - Park and Ride running well / extra 600 parking spaces comingi at St Erth, with tourist centre there too, shop, buffet, etc. And the County Council is putting up signs to tell people to use P&R.  Trains 4 coaches (high summer), 2 (shoulder), 1 (off season)

Falmouth. Passing loop (funded partnership). Half hourly service will be provided to relief for conjested roads, commuter to both ends of line and rapid growth in Falmouth.

Newquay.  Loading figure of 4 passenger per train in winter, but the summer service wel lused / HST was full. I understand that there was considerable doubt at FGW as to how well the Paddington would load, and how long it would take for the service to carry more that 10 passengers. "Jaws hit the floor in Swindon when we heard there were 160 passengers into Newquay on the first day". Plan is to ocontinue long distance development; service will run an extra week at the end of next summer.  Real local traffic from Newquay would be to St Austell, but funding of a restored section of track to allow it to run from there is unliely.

Looe. 2 coach train very successful this summer, as was co-operation / work with local groups. A lot more fares were collected - comment made that 10% of Wessex passengers travelled for free.

Gunnislake. Discussion of Tavistock extension. Funding not from DfT / some doubt as to whether the six miles / 6m to 10m pounds can be justified.

It seems as if the plan for a mega-car park at St Erth has been delayed due to financial issues.

http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/news/700-space-parking-scheme-shelved/article-690511-detail/article.html