Okehampton-Tavistock. Discussion on reopening and potential use as a diversionary route

[whole diary]

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

Do they not pay the insurance and fuel costs? Would say that gives them permission to say to be honest :-), I dont know the exact arrangement as to how the line is rented out to the railway, but that's irrelevant really the situation can be compared to a shop (which is leased) deciding not to stock a certain brand.... Would this be down to the person or company that owns the building or the person which rents and runs the shop 

[Plymboi]

Doyle post

[swrural]

Doyle post

Que?

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

Unless mispelt or being used out of context, I do belive our dear boy was suggesting one may have been drunk :-p, been there seen it ... Can't quite remember

[caliwag]

Haha...even Bude and Halwell get a mention here...

http://www.okehampton-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=12606

[TerminalJunkie]

mispelt

*snort* http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=mispelt

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

Still have that character defect?

[34104]

Haha...even Bude and Halwell get a mention here...

http://www.okehampton-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=12606

Quite a few obstructions on the Okehampton-Bude line now.The dual carriageway which breached the line about half a mile from Meldon junction would need to be bridged,i think there's an infilled cutting not far down the line.Holsworthy is now a supermarket and Halwill a housing estate but i think both could have room to sneak a railway through if the will was there.Bude is also a housing estate,could probably build a new station a la Tavistock more towards the outskirts though.Pretty major cost implications and i don't think that the councillors were actually suggesting that the Bude line should re-open,more that other forms of transport should link into any full time reopened Okehampton railway.We can but dream though.

[alexross42]

An interesting section is published in the West Devon Borough Council's 'Tavistock Masterplan Document' that was produced 30th April 2013 with regard to the new station at Tavistock (http://www.westdevon.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=4469&p=0)

5.14 North of the planned railway station and access road, no further development should
take place along the length of the old railway line that would restrict a possible eventual
relaying of the line and rail link to Okehampton. However it is important to note that this
will be challenging to deliver and is not currently being developed as part of the on-going
rail project.

So at least further potential obstacles to re-opening this stretch are being kept in consideration even if there are currently no solid plans to provide this link.

[Plymboi]

Found this article


http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Reopened-pound-100million-rail-route-Okehampton/story-18605657-detail/story.html#axzz2Te8XPlUh


I like the fact talk of the reopening line is gathering pace. It's a good sign.

[paul7575]

He seems a bit off the pace regarding the Tavistock proposal doesn't he?

A plan to reopen one section of the line, the 5.5-mile piece from Tavistock to Bere Alston, has been discussed for several years. Kilbride Community Rail says it would fund the building through the development of about 750 houses in Tavistock.  But Mr Henshaw said: "That is an awful lot for a private company to do. I am sceptical about that ever happening. It has drifted for years."

Paul

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

Anyone else think that in a country where it can cost up to 5 million pounds for a platform that 100 million is slightly underestimating it? ... i have no doubt that it could be done for that much if not less.... someone must be doing very well from all these overpriced projects

[grahame]

... i have no doubt that it could be done for that much if not less.... someone must be doing very well from all these overpriced projects

As Network Rail is owned by the public, perhaps that financial equation is something to ask one of their public members about? See http://www.networkrail.co.uk/structure-and-governance/members/biographies/ http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/5624.aspx and   http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=12282.0

[34104]

Surely this must become a red hot discussion topic in the corridors of power at both local and national level in view of recent events at Dawlish?

[AMLAG]

ABSOLUTELY 34104 !

Whilst 'the non thinking outside the box' NR^» (Network Rail - home page) in its 'situational briefing'  issued today on the Dawlish sea wall major incident, whilst waiting for Consultants & Contractors ideas on how to fill the gaping holes (surely it still has a few ex BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) Managers with such experience and inside 'whole industry' knowledge ?) almost dismisses the potential for reopening Meldon to Tavistock/Bere Alston, as an alternative route for Plymouth and Cornwall rail traffic, the Government and the PM may be thinking otherwise.

Just imagine the potential for a high speed route on the mostly straight line from Exeter to Okehampton..even in steam days it had a max of 85mph; with a  new Parkway road /rail interchange station at Sourton next to the A30/A382 Junction,that could be the railhead for many in Cornwall and prevent the increasing number of rail passengers driving to Tiverton Parkway because the winding & steeply graded South Devon line is so slow.

Restoration of Meldon to Tavistock/Bere Alston should be much simpler and cheaper compared to the extensive works now in progress, courtesy of the Scottish Govt., to restore over 30 miles of the former Waverley Route from Edinburgh to Galashiels closed 1969.
This project has not only seen numerous houses demolished but large new bridges built,roads & utilities diverted, completely new alignments in places for the railway, major Tunnel works, drainage, earthworks and the numerous steel bridges refurbished or replaced.