South argues for trains to bypass northern station in Devon (Tiverton Parkway)

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the North Devon Journal:

Pressure groups from South Devon are lobbying for several London-bound trains to not stop at Tiverton Parkway in the future.

It has been reported there is a fast growing campaign from the Plymouth area to lobby the Government and potential bidders for the Great Western franchise to cut out Tiverton.

The idea behind the plan is to enable people from Plymouth to get to London within three hours.

Some trains would still stop at Tiverton, but North Devon Council deputy leader Rodney Cann said the move would set the area's economy back 20 years. He is now going to make sure the issue is discussed at the council and campaign against the move.

He said: "This will have a major impact on North Devon and Torridge businesses as many use Tiverton Parkway to avoid the time consuming train via the Tarka^▸ (Line from Barnstaple to Exeter) Line. While Plymouth's position is understandable, we need to protect North Devon's interests and gather support for a lobbying campaign."

Mr Cann believes the answer to shorter train journeys lies with improving the rail infrastructure, such as better quality lines or newer trains. He said faster rail journeys should not come at the cost of rural communities, by bypassing stations.

There is a similar proposal being mooted for the Tarka Line, to cut out certain stations to make journey times to Exeter faster.

Mr Cann said: "People in Exeter think North Devon is the end of the earth at the moment. When you mention a meeting in North Devon in Exeter they say things like 'oh god what a journey'. There's a real perception North Devon is a rural outpost and if we were to lose our link with London this would further isolate us."

He said that improvements to the line itself could improve the speeds upon it. "Ideally I'd like to see the Tarka Line used for commercial purposes as well at some point, but the management of the trains themselves needs to be improved," he said.

Mr Cann recently took the train back from Exeter after going to watch an Exeter Chiefs rugby game. "It was so crowded it made the Tokyo trains look like luxury. I couldn't believe the conditions people were travelling in," he said. "They need to upgrade the line and put on more carriages, but there is a complete lack of imagination here."

Mr Cann said he would raise the issue at the council's next executive meeting.

[vacman]

I totally agree, I think both Tiverton PW^▸ (Permanent Way) AND Totnes get too many trains! there is quite a time penalty by stopping a Tivvy as the linespeed is quite high.

[inspector_blakey]

From the North Devon Journal:

He said that improvements to the line itself could improve the speeds upon it. "Ideally I'd like to see the Tarka^▸ (Line from Barnstaple to Exeter) Line used for commercial purposes as well at some point, but the management of the trains themselves needs to be improved," he said.

Mr Cann recently took the train back from Exeter after going to watch an Exeter Chiefs rugby game. "It was so crowded it made the Tokyo trains look like luxury. I couldn't believe the conditions people were travelling in," he said. "They need to upgrade the line and put on more carriages, but there is a complete lack of imagination here."

A prize piece of twaddle from some low-budget local political hack. Imagination doesn't pay for trains sadly.

[vacman]

You hit the nail on the head there I_B, the Chiefs fans are always moaning about the fact that we should invest billions in new stock just so we can transport people like this councillor who travel probably twice a year!