The South Devon Railway Thread

I think the point is that it is too narrow for cyclists and buggies and wheelchairs and I am afraid cyclists only have some of their own number to blame.

I find the Councillor's suggestion of 'shaming the South Devon' into accepting otherwise appalling bullying and should lead some sanction being taken against them. How on earth are children to learn bullying and blackmail are wrong when public officials indulge in such behaviour routinely?

Steven

 

Buggies and wheelchairs seldom go at more than walking pace, though, and rarely come up behind me and shout move over.
I don't have a problem with cyclists that obey the rules of the road but they are a relatively rare breed these days. They are their own worst enemy when it comes to getting my sympathy.

 

You're fortunate that they shout at you, I've been nearly knocked down several times by cyclists coming up fast behind me, then glaring at me as if the near miss was my fault for walking on the pavement.

Like you I have no problem with cyclists that obey the rule of the road. As an ex-cyclist I am astounded at the irresponsible actions of some cyclists, it's a wonder more don't end up under the wheels of cars and lorries. (I'm particularly thinking of the ones round my area who think it's cool to pull wheelies along the white line in our busy High Street.)

 

Sadly some councillors have learned that bullying does get results; at least the results that they want. They need to be stood up to when power goes to their heads. Having worked in local government I know that most councillors are not fit to exercise power.​

 

If bicycles had to be registered so that riders (or at least bike owners) could be identified, the bike riders wouldn't be so arrogant. They think that they are immune from any come-back. I've had one screaming at pedestrians to get out of her way when she was riding on the pavement.

 

I have witnessed similar incidents , usually with fairly state of the art racing cycles , which for some reason the owner having spent a considerable amount on it for cannot fit it with a bell. Saying that most cyclists are considerate and polite and would , putting the valid security argument aside , happily push their cycles over this narrow bridge which I used earlier this year after my last visit in 1971(then it was bus from Newton Abbot)

 

http://railwayherald.com/uknews/south-devon-railway-vindicated-in-footbridge-row

Doesnt show any of The Local Authorities in a very good light, but 10/10 to The Railway Herald

 

The Railway Herald article is dated September this year, but the latest local press comments are dated 26/27 November, i.e. up to date, which means it is still very much in focus.

 

Some bad news:
The South Devon Railway has announced that, sadly, they have been broken in to by thieves, who have caused a lot of damage to recover.

The break in comes after the mentioning of Staverton Station being open and accessible to the public by Totnes County Councillor, Jacqi Hodgson, where she complained about the railway not wanting the footbridge at Totnes open 24/7 for any purpose because of safety and security reasons.

The South Devon Railway have now suffered a very serious break-in and theft of £5,000 worth of valuable equipment at Staverton. The break-in will now impact on the winter works programme.

Stupid councillor - not elected for their intelligence, are they? I wonder whether the council will assist with meeting the loss caused by her comment?

John

 

I'm not sure who I have the greater contempt for - the thieves or the local councillor.

Stef.

 

I have just e-mailed the councillor (jacqi.hodgson@devon.gov.uk) to ask if she will now concede the point on safety and, given the timing of the raid, apologise for highlighting a weaker point. I don't expect a reply. Oh, and I did make it clear that I was NOTHING to do with the SDR.

 

Maybe it was the news article which drew attention, maybe not. Some thieves know what is there and choose their time to strike.

 

Once again. as any old time copper or military man will tell you. "You cannot do better than a man in place". Equip a brake van or coach for sleeping accommodation for a man or two and with a (preferably large!!)
dog. An alarm system and/or CCTV will greatly assist. Thieves are terrified of being identified. Where to .find the manpower? Volunteers or perhaps amongst the 100,000s of homeless there is an ex-soldier who needs a roof over his/her head.

 

I'm not too sure about that. Thieves certainly don't want to be identified, but if the property they're determined to going thieving from is occupied it won't deter them, they'll just wear masks and beat up the occupants as some home owners have found out.

 

Correct. Detection/conviction rates are at an all-time low and whilst what was suggested will deter the opportunist thief, someone determined to get something will merely go tooled up.

 

If you accept theft as just a part of doing business then you cannot be making appeals to the public to redress your losses ;violence committed during such acts then turns the incident into robbery or GBH. The criminals are quite aware of those offences that lead to jail time,., Anyway I am not suggesting confrontation but I am suggesting identification which the Police can follow up on

 

Anyone who has visited Staverton will know that it is situated in a quiet rural place. It has a two country roads that pass it - one over the level crossing - one is used to for traffic going or passing through the village. There is, nearby, a foot crossing to the village to dwellings and pathways. The line has many visitors in the summer, not all catch trains - some probably 'case the joint' when there.
Heritage lines seem to be very vulnerable, many are targeted as it is known that equipment and other valuable items are stored there. It should, therefore, be a priority to protect the property with as good a form of security possible.

 

It doesn't really matter if the burglary was a result of the councillor's comment or not, but it does give the SDR a good argument for keeping the Totnes bridge closed when the railway wasn't running. They could even remind the council that it was one of its members that pointed out the risks of an unsecured site.
Councillor Hodgson's comment could be seen as a kind of 'own goal'.

 

The footbridge is quite a distance from Staverton. No one wishing to visit Staverton from the Totnes direction, unless keen walkers or cyclists, would use the bridge to get there. There are more direct ways. Staverton is quite accessible from the adjacent roads, so no need to use a distant bridge, which as far as the SDR is concerned is solely to get people to their Littlehempton station from nearby Totnes.
I fear criticism of local politicians - MP's and councillors - can only be counter productive. They represent the views of their constituents and voters, what else should they do. Many consider that a new bridge would take scarce finances, so why when a part publicly funded bridge exists, should it not be considered. There are issues as far as the SDR are concerned, but that does not mean it should not be discussed in a rational matter. Vested interests do cloud the water.