Using the official figures published by the
ORR» , it is clear that overall passenger number growth on the '
Avocet▸ Line' (it would btw be nice if admin could change the title of this thread!) is very positive;for the period 2003-2008 the percentage increase was a staggering 15.7% if Exeter Central is excluded or a slightly more sensible, but still pretty impressive, 7.1% if EXC is factored in. Most of the growth has been fuelled by Topsham (67.1K , 63.5%) and Digby & Sowton (127K , 105.3%), the latter location being the railhead for a short walk/cycle to the Sandy Park Stadium home of Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club, who are now actively promoting the use of the train for getting to matches, and the centre of a major residential development.
Although accepting that usage at Exmouth has declined (-5.4%) over the last 5 years, this raw statistic ignores the fact that nearly 700K passengers are still using the station; it is widely acknowledged that the 'parallel' A376 road is already running at full capacity and, because of the terrain, opportunities for further enhancements are
very limited.
The line is now also promoted by the Avocet Line Rail Users Group(ALRUG) -
http://sites.google.com/site/theavocetline/home - who hold regular meetings often involving Network Rail,
FGW▸ and the various local authorities.
New stations are planned for Newcourt (on the site of the old RN stores depot) between Digby and Topsham, and Monkerton between Digby and Polsloe Bridge. These additions can apparently only be achieved by re-doubling of the line from Exmouth Junction to at least Digby, and preferably Topsham, and the provision of a new passing loop at Lympstone. This would also permit the ALRUG aspiration of a 4 trains/hour service, although I personally believe that 3
TPH▸ would be adequate.
At the moment I live in hope rather than expectation!
Click on the map to explore geographics
