(All 14.5.1985)
On the same weekend that huge strides were made in getting the S&D rebuilt, in the next door county (Devon) the council there is doing everything it can to perpetuate the 1970s, by claiming that the no-brainer restoration of the Barnstaple to Bideford line would not be economic. Pure drivel, and they know it. Restoration of the route will only cost 80 million pounds, and the line would be heavily used from day one. Bideford is way too large a town to be off the network in the 21st century and the original closure was a clear mistake. In fact if anything the line should be continued to Torrington and a light railway run across the bridge at Bideford to the main part of the town, giving Bideford stations on both sides of the Torridge.
I'm sure this crazy decision will be reversed and the 70s mentality quickly overcome by common sense and the rising cost of energy, but it does show that even in 2010 there are people in positions of power and responsibility that are completely stupid and out of touch. Let's hope we don't run into similar idiots in Somerset and Dorset as the S&D bursts back into life!
5 comments:
Didn't council officials also say that reopening Templecombe station 'wouldnt pay'? Trial opened for 3 years it is still open and thriving. And that was 20 years ago when oil was still cheap! I know one is a station and the other a railway but surely the principle is the same.
Couple of points;
a.In fairness to DCC,they have been pretty much supportive of the Tavistock project [which incidentally passed through the WDBC planning committee stage last week and has now been submitted to SoS for approval before examination in public at a later date-hope any change of government doesn't adversely affect the issue]and once that is hopefully up and running,then maybe they would give longer shrift to projects such as Bideford.
b.The projected cost of Tavistock -Bere Alston is £18 million for restoring 6 miles of railway.How on earth can Bideford-Barnstaple,which i believe is only 4 miles longer and with no major obstructions or civil engineering works as far as i'm aware,cost a projected £80m? Mystified by that one,any explanations?
Thanks
John
According to a couple of people I know Network Rail always quotes over the odds to restore railways. They reckon restoring the Portishead line would cost about £80 Million as well, and that's already opeb for freight.
Although in all fairness signalling is apparently a big problem with the infrastructure in place now not built with regards to expansion, making it rather difficult!
b.The projected cost of Tavistock -Bere Alston is £18 million for restoring 6 miles of railway.How on earth can Bideford-Barnstaple,which i believe is only 4 miles longer and with no major obstructions or civil engineering works as far as i'm aware,cost a projected £80m? Mystified by that one,any explanations?
Its called; GREEDY,RIP OFF Britian.
Pity the old Royal Engineers railway regiments are gone.......
This is why we must organise and do it ourselves, seeking sponsorship from business directly.
They are playing politics with the figures as they all need their slice of the pie. Quite big pies, by the looks of things?
Post a Comment