And with this proposed alternative route the entire population of Torbay are resigned to replacement buses when there are future problems on the sea wall section.
The approach described in other threads on this subject need to be followed.
1. Dawlish Sea Wall repaired
2. An emergency or alternative route needs to be opened sooner rather than later. Meldon-Bere Alston (or Tavistock) would be the easiest and quickest way of fulfilling this in the medium term.
3. All mainline services to remain on the Dawlish route unless the Wall is Closed.
4. An Alternative Dawlish Avoiding Line built inland needs to be considered in the longer term future when the Sea Wall is closed too often. Studies by the local councils' in the South West (including Torbay) indicate by 2060 at the latest. Maybe we should be thinking of 2040 or sooner if it can be done.
The entire population of Torbay (according to the 2011 census) is 131,000. The population of Plymouth at the same census is 256,400 and that of Cornwall is 532,300. Some 650,000 more people. Additionally, many people from North and Mid Devon and Cornwall would now have much nearer access to rail lines if the
LSWR▸ route was reopened. Notably Bude, Holsworthy and Launceston.
The residents of Torbay would of course be able to get to Exeter via bus. The SAME as they do now when the Sea Wall is closed. But at least Plymouth and Cornwall (and even Torbay, though by a much longer route), would still be connected to the rest of the country by rail. Saving businesses millions of pounds. At the moment estimates of losses are in the order of hundreds of millions to business.
Although there is not much freight west of Exeter it is foolhardy to think that while the line is closed that it wont be tempting for businesses to look at road haulage as an option.And if connectivity can be much more certain then perhaps more freight will use the railways.
It has been mentioned that the Okehampton route would be susceptible to heavy snow and blizzards. Over the last few years the Railways have kept running even in conditions where roads become very dangerous and blocked. The trains may well have been late but they did run. Many of the routes in the North are high and susceptible to snowfall much more often than in this part of the country. Even Dartmoor. It would in truth take major winter storms to close both routes and in these circumstances it is likely that roads would be impassable also.
The advantage of the Moorland route is that it is largely still in situ. Many of the major structures still exist. I believe that the line between Coleford Junction and Meldon is owned by the Meldon Quarry owners. Last I heard this was put up for sale for ^5million in October 2012. The Dartmoor Railway do NOT own it. Surely a bargain price for Network Rail.
The reason that
SWT▸ do not serve Plymouth is that with the addition of the passing loop at Axminster and creating more frequent services there is a lack of stock. Not enough to cover this extra hour down and back to Plymouth. With cascades of stock there will be more available.
I am all for the main line remaining in South Devon it does serve more people. But we must be pragmatic.
Longer term the line from Exeter to Waterloo should be upgraded giving passengers in Devon and Cornwall a real choice of railway companies to take them to London.
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