New railway stations proposed for Cranbrook, Newcourt and Marsh Barton (merged topic)

[whole diary]

[paul7575]

.
From the Exeter Express & Echo

Newcourt station will be on the Exmouth branch line between Digby, Sowton and Topsham.

Wondered for a moment how it could be between 3 stations...   

Paul

[TonyK]

Wondered for a moment how it could be between 3 stations...   

Paul

Having been to Digby and Sowton station(s), I wondered similarly. I may go to Cam and/or Dursley soon.

[Bob_Blakey]

Some of you seem to have been expecting accurate reporting by the Exeter Express & Echo...how very quaint. 

[JayMac]

Is that the Express or the Echo you are referring to Bob? 

[Oberon]

Yesterday Transport Minister Baroness Kramer cut the first sod at Newcourt, the site a new station in Devon. This project is one of 5 to be awarded funding by the government, following a successful bid by Devon County Council in May 2013.

The new station, which will include a ticket machine, passenger information system, secure cycle parking, disabled parking spaces and CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision), will be served by a half-hourly local service between Exeter St David^s and Exmouth.
 

[Rapidash]

Went past enroute to Exmouth yesterday, and saw there were diggers already working. A gaggle of FGW^▸ (First Great Western) managers were looking pretty happy about it.

Has work on Cranbrook started yet?

[Oberon]

WORK is expected to begin on the construction of the new station in the autumn.

The provision of the station was delayed when the original contractor pulled out.

Network Rail is responsible for delivery of the platform works and had originally planned to appoint their preferred contractor in early January.

The contractor however pulled out just before the contract was awarded.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks for posting here, Oberon and Rapidash. 

This afternoon, I've looked at several previous topics here on the Coffee Shop forum on the subject of 'new stations in Devon'.

I've now reached the conclusion that they are all so inter-connected, and with so much comparison, overlapping and cross-referencing, that it's probably best if they were all to be merged into one wider discussion of the whole subject - purely in the interests of continuity and ease of future reference.

Please bear with me while I put together such a definitive topic on the subject. 




Edit note: Now done - I hope this helps. CfN. 

[TonyK]

Edit note: Now done - I hope this helps. CfN. 

Murky buckets, as they say in Franglais, Chris. All will become clear, in due course.

[Oberon]

I passed the site of Cranbrook station yesterday en route to Dawlish. Work on actual station buildings or platform do not seem to have started yet but the associated car park seems to be virtually finished.

[PhilWakely]

I passed the site of Cranbrook station yesterday en route to Dawlish. Work on actual station buildings or platform do not seem to have started yet but the associated car park seems to be virtually finished.

Went out there with camera today and whilst the above is correct, it appears that no more work has actually been done since the last time I was out there (in February). Classic bit of planning - what with the original idea of a two platform station with passing loop having been kicked into touch, it appears that a large [immovable] oak tree stands in a strategic position and will need to be built around!

[Rapidash]

Anyone know what works is happening next to the waste plant in Marsh Barton? Looks somewhat similar in size and scope as the Newcourt station build - and the MB station is meant to be in that sort of location! Didnt think it was due to be built for a few years though?

[bradshaw]

Passed the site of Cranbrook station today; the blockwork supports for the platform are nearly complete and some of the platform slabs are lying on them.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Exeter Express & Echo:

Cost of new Exeter railway station at Marsh Barton increases by ^3m


Plans for the new station

The cost of building a new railway station at Marsh Barton has rocketed, the Echo can reveal.

When the scheme for the two-platform station was granted planning permission in July last year the cost was estimated at ^4.33m ^ it is now expected to be more than ^3m higher, at ^7.4m.

However, Devon^s cabinet is recommended to approve pressing ahead with the scheme when it meets next Wednesday as officers believe that it is still ^very good value for money^.

There are several reasons for the increased costs but the fact that the station will be on a main line has a significant bearing.

Members of the cabinet will hear that discussions are continuing with tenderers Network Rail and First Great Western to find ways of bringing costs down, such as re-timing sleeper trains to allow more working hours overnight, using single-line working at night and using innovative construction methods to minimise rail-side working time.

The scheme has already been out to tender and a contract is due to be awarded this coming September. However, if this date is missed it will have to go out to tender again, meaning more cost.

Exeter City Council is being asked to contribute ^1.3m to the scheme and its executive is due to take a decision when it meets later this month.

Teignbridge District Council has already agreed to contribute the same amount and a similar amount is being put in by Devon County Council.

It is proposed that the rest of the funding needed will come from the Government^s Growth Deal.

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said the development was still good value for money.

He said: ^The opening of new rail stations on existing lines is relatively rare in this country and our recent experience at Newcourt has shown us that the actual cost of delivering a new station at Marsh Barton is likely to be higher than first thought. The estimate for the Marsh Barton station has changed for a number of reasons, including price inflation, legislation changes, changes to site access, and the fact that Network Rail and First Great Western fees are significantly higher than anticipated.^

He said the scheme wouldn^t proceed until funding is agreed.

[PhilWakely]

Have I missed something?

I was checking realtimetrains for EXD^» (Exeter St Davids - next trains)-WAT on Saturday 19th as I know that they are being diverted. Imagine my surprise when I noticed that all services will be stopping at Cranbrook! I wasn't aware the station was opening yet. Does anybody know an different?