KeithMacdonald Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Despite the Tavistock news (Bere Regis to Tavistock now costed at £93 million), it looks like better news from Eggesford : Quote Plans to extend the platforms at Eggesford Railway Station so it can accommodate longer trains have been submitted. The scheme, put forward this week to Mid Devon District Council planners, would see platform 1 extended by 30 metres and platform 2 by 29 metres. The extensions are necessary following the introduction of new stock on the Tarka Line which has seen longer and more modern trains replace the old Class 143 Pacer trains, and a statement with the planning application says that it is important that the proposed platform capability works are to be carried out to support this service. .. If approved, Platform 1, currently 63m long, would be extended by 29.29m at the London end of the station to accommodate Diesel Multiple Units (DMU), Class 150, 165 and 166, which are being transferred to the West of England. Platform 2 requires an additional 29.29m on the current 56m long platform at the Country end. https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/railway-station-platforms-set-extended-3703135 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivercider Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 I understand with the introduction of the new timetable on the Barnstaple line the hourly services are all worked by 3-car class 158 sets 158950/6/7/8 cheers 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Kris Posted January 4, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted January 4, 2020 The standard of reporting is dire, however the information about the planning application is interesting. Full planning application can be found here. https://planning.middevon.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=Q369NLKS03J00 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdvle Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 3 hours ago, Kris said: The standard of reporting is dire, however the information about the planning application is interesting. Full planning application can be found here. https://planning.middevon.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=Q369NLKS03J00 What in particular is wrong with the reporting? While there are errors in the news article, the errors are directly quoted from the Network Rail documents in the planning application. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianusa Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 (edited) <<<<<<<<<<<<Despite the Tavistock news (Bere Regis to Tavistock now costed at £93 million),>>>>>>>>>> 93 mil is a lot of cash; where did this figure come from? It never was a cheap enterprise but part of the deal for the new housing in Tavistock. As a matter of interest has any of this materialised yet? The new costing seems even more excessive than the original but its taken so long, its inevitable; but to obtain the trackbed from Bere Alston, build a station at Tavvy and other infrastructure improvements, it has to be justified and with all all the potential extra population, traffic and commuting over the Moors to Plymouth, its not hard to do. Plus, when they make up their minds to finish the line to Okehampton,it won't cost as much! Brian. Edited January 4, 2020 by brianusa Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithMacdonald Posted January 4, 2020 Author Share Posted January 4, 2020 Re the £93 million figure - it was quoted in this Devon Online article. https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/reopening-bere-alston-tavistock-railway-3311504 They in turn are quoting from Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council : Quote Costs for the reinstatement of a railway from Tavistock to Bere Alston have ballooned to £93m, councillors have been told. As part of the Devon Metro proposals, the re-opening of this section of line was due to provide a new, sustainable link between Tavistock and Plymouth for commuter journeys. It would help to minimise traffic on the A386, link Tavistock to the national rail network and also provide an alternative travel option for leisure, education and retail journeys. The station and track was set to be funded by development planned for Tavistock, but Devon County Council’s recent ‘A386 Tavistock to Plymouth Corridor Study’ concluded reinstating the rail link from Tavistock to Bere Alston, is not viable at this time. Earlier in the year, West Devon Borough Council were told that the costs of the project had risen to around £70m. However, a presentation to a West Devon Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting last week heard that the cost projections for the reinstatement of the railway had risen by a further £23m to £93m. Speaking at the meeting, representatives from Devon County Council confirmed they were not actively lobbying Central Government at this moment to reinstate the Tavistock to Bere Alston rail line. Instead, their top priorities were to get funding the remainder of the Dawlish to Teignmouth rail line, improving mobile connectivity travelling by rail and creating a diversionary route around the Exeter Waterloo line. Councillors on the committee though did request that Devon County Council increase its lobbying efforts to ensure that funding was made available for the Tavistock to Bere Alston line, a segregated cycle route to be created adjacent to the busy A386 be further investigated, and that a number of lessons could be learned from the proposals to reopen the Okehampton to Exeter rail route. Then they mention Okehampton. Quote Former transport secretary Chris Grayling had charged train operator Great Western Railway with drawing up a plan to introduce the a regular service between Okehampton and Exeter, which was due to put to the Government by the summer. No confirmation of if and when a regular service may be introduced has been announced, but MP for Central Devon, Mel Stride, said that earlier this week he had a positive meeting with the new Secretary of State for Transport to discuss the plans. Trains had been running from Okehampton to Exeter over the summer on Sundays, and although that service has ceased for the winter, a special train will run from Okehampton to Weymouth this weekend. The passenger train will be formed of a 5-coach ‘Castle’ set, a former Inter-City 125 HST, and will run from Okehampton, Crediton and Exeter St Davids to Weymouth on Saturday, September 14. The train will depart from Okehampton at 8.15am and arrive at 11.45pm, before departing at 4.26pm and arriving back at 7.30pm. The trip has been organised by OkeRail, in partnership with GWR, who will also be naming one of the new Castle Class power cars, “Okehampton Castle.” .. Tickets for the special service on Saturday can be purchased online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/t-rdjaop and cost £37 for adults and £18.50 for children Ref : https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/reopening-bere-alston-tavistock-railway-3311504 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithMacdonald Posted January 4, 2020 Author Share Posted January 4, 2020 I've just found the "A386 Tavistock to Plymouth Corridor Study" https://mg.swdevon.gov.uk/documents/s22435/FINAL_A386Appx.pdf Strange that it says "FINAL" (presumably final version) - but it is dated September 2018. It makes me wonder - have they been sitting on it for over a year and only just thought to publish it? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianusa Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 Hi Keith, its been sat on for so long already, whats another few more years?! Brian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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