Campaign for Tavistock reopening

[whole diary]

[trainbuff]

Sounds like a good idea 34104. I walked part of the line last year with my son. thoroughly enjoyable, though had no torch to get through Shillamill tunnel. Keep us informed

[34104]

The lower road was closed yesterday afternoon but reopened by the evening,i had a look around the bridge but there was nothing different from usual,at least superficially.Interestingly though,there were a couple of guys dressed in safety jackets walking on the line away from the bridge in question towards Shillamill viaduct early this morning,maybe the bridge inspections are taking place sequentially in the direction of Tavistock from BA^» (British Airways - about),that would fit in with the work being carried out on Gawton bridge a couple of months back.I'll keep my eyes open for any further developments.

[34104]

Two white vans parked on the bridge this morning and a couple of men were definitely inspecting the steelwork which takes the bridge across the road.Looked suspiciously like Devon County Council vehicles-something is happening,lets hope that the inspections will prove to be positive.

[ellendune]

Remember that since the bridge is a highway structure Devon CC will have to inspect it every 5 years anyway.  That might not count for the viaduct though!

[34104]

Remember that since the bridge is a highway structure Devon CC will have to inspect it every 5 years anyway.  That might not count for the viaduct though!

All i can say on that point is that i've been driving between BA^» (British Airways - about) and Tavistock for a few decades and i can't remember the lower road ever being closed to allow an inspection before.I'm pretty sure that the bridge is contained within the trackbed purchased by them from the Forestry commission [or whatever they're called]-i'll be keeping a close eye on Shillamill viaduct and surrounds in the next few weeks,it'll be interesting to see if the inspections are sequential.

[ellendune]

Normally an inspection would not require a road closure. Unless there was something of concern or unles an excavation was required.

[Plymboi]

Ooooh cery exciting developments. Hoepfully we will be able to travel to Tavistock by train in the next few years

[trainbuff]

Yes indeed. I hope things are moving now!

[Plymboi]

Calstock is needed and used wideley so deserves a decent service like it currently has. You would esentially have 2 branch lines The tamar Vally to Gunnislake and the Drake Line to Tavistock.

[34104]

In the Tavistock Times yesterday,news was published of the intention to open an informal footpath between Monksmead [where the broken bridge is,on the Tavvy-Callington road] and Rumleigh lane,which is about a mile from Bere Alston, total of 4 miles,later this summer.Access points will also be provided at Gawton bridge and Slymeford farm.Essentially this is to fit in with the Tamar valley mining heritage scheme and no direct mention was made of the railway reopening but at least it's a start in making the route a transport corridor once more.

[trainbuff]

Yes I think the original idea was to have a cycle track beside the rail line, (after all double track with single line leaves space), but obviously the track is not going through Shillamill Tunnel.
When I walked there last year evidence could be seen of building a path up to avoid the tunnel. After all, it is not really a good idea to share a tunnel with an operational railway.

I still believe that the Transport and Works act Order is still being worked on and this will take some time.

Any update would be appreciated though

[34104]

Funnily enough,we were discussing Shillamill tunnel [in connection with the footpath] on the way to football yesterday.We both recalled walking through it when bunking off school and walking back to Bere Alston-very spooky it was,too,it seemed to take an eternity to see any chink of light.I think i know what you are referring to-there has been a gate installed and a path made from the road which seems to lead to the Bere Alston end of the tunnel-must explore it one day.Would there actually be anything to stop the tunnel from being used as a railway and cycle path provided it was adequately lit and appropriately fenced down the middle? I seem to recall that the tunnel at Shaugh Prior on the old GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Plymouth to Launceston line is lit on a permanent basis,although obviously that is for cyclists and walkers only,more's the pity.

[trainbuff]

I suppose the only real problems would be fumes from the railway (Health and Safety and all), but anything could be done, though I think as the tunnel is 'S' shaped the railway may be more expediently placed without worrying about a footpath.

Where my son and I joined the path was from the Tavistock to Bere Alston road bridge. I guess about 2 miles from Shillamill Tunnel Work had obviously been done there too with fencing etc

[34104]

Another little update-driving along the lower BA^» (British Airways - about)-Tavistock road this morning and lo and behold,two chaps in safety jackets and carrying what looked like tools and instrumentation were climbing the embankment up to the bridge that was the subject of the recent inspection-there were two unmarked white vans parked at the foot of the hill towards Tavistock.The curiosity is now getting too much to bear,i've e mailed Peter Frost of Kilbride to try to find out what's happening.May be in connection with the footpath of course,hopefully some hard info will be forthcoming from Kilbride.

[trainbuff]

Well done 34104!

I also have contacted Killbride, but on a more general enquiry of what is happening really, so between us hopefully we should find out some more.

If the Cycle path does not go through tunnel then the work at this bridge is likely to be associated with the railway rather than the cycle path. I saw fencing on the Bere Alston side of the tunnel extending up to the road. From the access point on the Tavistock side, there is only a short distance to Shillamill Viaduct as you know. And in any case the access point is between the Tunnel and this bridge.

Fingers crossed!!!!!