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

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

A ^10 million investment to improve transport links to key developments east of Exeter looks set to pave the way for the creation of 3,500 homes and up to 7,000 jobs earlier than planned.

Business and council leaders have welcomed the cash from the South West Regional Development Agency, which includes ^6.5m for upgrades to junctions 29 and 30 of the M5 to provide easier access to the new community of Cranbrook, the Skypark business site, a 25-hectare science park and new housing.

A further ^3.5m will pay for the building of a new railway station to serve Cranbrook, a 3,500-home town planned for land near Rockbeare.

Councillor Humphrey Temperley, Devon County Council's executive member for spatial planning, regional and international affairs, said: "Devon County Council is delighted that the RDA^▸ (Regional Development Agency) has agreed to make ^10m available from the regional infrastructure fund to help bring forward the developments to the east of Exeter. This will enable us to deliver the key transport infrastructure such as the new railway station and improved junctions at an early stage in the development."

See http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=136993&command=displayContent&sourceNode=231418&home=yes&more_nodeId1=137002&contentPK=21069522

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

does anyone else think that this would be a good idea?

[gaf71]

does anyone else think that this would be a good idea?

Yes I agree, its a big employment area, bigger than Sowton I think, and Digby and Sowton on the Exmouth branch is really well used by workers on the industrial estate. Also Alphington( which edges on to Marsh Barton) has masses of housing now. At the moment workers on Marsh Barton have to use Exeter St Thomas station, which means at least a 15-20 minute walk.

[devon_metro]

Good place to have an airport link too.

[John R]

Pardon my ignorance but is this on the Waterloo line? If so then any the route is not really geared for and set up for local traffic. I would guess that any extra stops would have an impact on timings and passing points over the long single track sections. 

[gaf71]

Pardon my ignorance but is this on the Waterloo line? If so then any the route is not really geared for and set up for local traffic. I would guess that any extra stops would have an impact on timings and passing points over the long single track sections. 

No, its between Exeter St Thomas and Starcross on the GW^▸ (Great Western) main line.About  3 miles west of St Davids.

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

however there is still the issue of slow stopping trains calling at an extra stop would mess up the timetables unless two extra tracks were put in place but the bill is going up and up

[John R]

Pardon my ignorance but is this on the Waterloo line? If so then any the route is not really geared for and set up for local traffic. I would guess that any extra stops would have an impact on timings and passing points over the long single track sections. 

No, its between Exeter St Thomas and Starcross on the GW^▸ (Great Western) main line.About  3 miles west of St Davids.

Sorry, the comment about it being a good place for an airport link confused me, as the airport is close to the Waterloo line.

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

yes sorry i just noticed that myself lol well they are talking about a station at broadclyst that line has so much potentialit really does but the fact that for the most part it is single is a major draw back

[eightf48544]

however there is still the issue of slow stopping trains calling at an extra stop would mess up the timetables unless two extra tracks were put in place but the bill is going up and up

Interesting thought where history might provide a clue. one of the last mainlines the GW^▸ (Great Western)/GC^» (Great Central Railway - link to heritage line) Joint and GW links between Marylebone Aynho most staions were built with 4 tracks with through lines and platform loops. Sadly most of these have gone and Chiltern are having to put some back at great expense.

On the West of England mainline you had 4 tracks for 7 miles or so from Cogload to Norton Fitzwarren platform loops at Wellington (Som) Samford Peverell, Tiverton Jn (old) Cullumpton
and Stoke Cannon. There appear to also have been freight loops at Hele. Most of which have gone.

From what I've read Network Rail seem to looking at some form of standard modules for station buildings and other structures. It would seem possible to extend this concept to a modular four track layout with standardised high speed points, signals and a plug in interlocking. Thus having prepapared the foundations and track bed the complete new station, track and signals are  erected on site from prefabricated components bought to site. As the new platforms are away from the running lines there should be little disruption to services say 4 x 12 hour possesions one for each point and maybe another for signal testing. You might need a temporary speed restriction through the site but with careful planning this could be made as short as possible.

It's not new, the Southern did it with concrete components from Exemouth Junction, still extant on the St Helier and Chessington South lines.

[Super Guard]

If a Station was opened at Marsh-Barton, perhaps run a shuttle service to EXD^» (Exeter St Davids - next trains) and back. I think the timetable could accomodate it, just depends on the rolling stock... and of course the station

[plymothian]

Well the permanent way towards Heathfield is still in place running right through to just short of Sainsbury's at Marsh Barton/Alphington....


Now if only there was a way to get all the way to Heathfield  

[Brunel-Scott]

Yes, 'Plymothian' is quite right - there is a track - one might call it a long siding - stretching right through the Marsh Barton area almost to Sainsbury's. The track bed beyond the existing track to Sainsbury's (just a couple of hundred yards) is still unimpeded so in theory one could end the line there, hence having passengers shopping there on foot instead of by car (ha ha - will wonders never cease?) and perhaps more plausibly, deliveries by rail to Sainsbury's and other commercial customers. At least there would be no need to build a station on or even near the main line. 

I think this line was until recently for the MAF site which has now disappeared. Am I right?

[Andy]

Running Barnstaple services through to a station at Sainsbury's on the old Marsh Barton siding, via Exeter St Thos, and running Exmouth services through to Okehampton could be a solution.

[TerminalJunkie]

Running Barnstaple services through to a station at Sainsbury's on the old Marsh Barton siding, via Exeter St Thos, and running Exmouth services through to Okehampton could be a solution.

...whilst simultaneously upsetting the 60% or so of passengers on the Barnstaple trains who want to go to or through Exeter Central.