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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by gwr4090, Nov 15, 2007.

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  1. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    I believe someone is interested in the line and its 'surroundings'. One or two contenders - or maybe a consortium? Time will tell.
     
    Greenway, Jul 17, 2020
    #27981
  2. staffordian

    staffordian Well-Known Member

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    Presumably a question the County Council, as owners of the land, would hold the answer to?
     
    staffordian, Jul 17, 2020
    #27982
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  3. Triumph 2500S

    Triumph 2500S Well-Known Member

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    I have just received Today's Swindon Advertiser wherein it offers a Barnes Coaches Trip to the West Somerset Railway Minehead complete with Rover Ticket for August 23rd!

    Does Barnes know something we don't?
     
    Triumph 2500S, Jul 17, 2020
    #27983
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  4. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    In than scenario, i would assume that a development company would want to purchase the land, and freehold off the council , JJP would get his 12" to the foot model railway, to run his locos on, well a short stretch of it, Minehead station certainly would be redeveloped likily the stations if not already privately owed would be sold off, as private dwellings, fenced off behind the running line, with a short platform , and shelter, the larger stations especially, all non essential land would be taken away from the railway, and developed, you would have only a very basic railway, with minimal facilities, restorations etc, i guess could always go to Tysely Birmingham, assuming they are party to any consortium
     
    martin1656, Jul 17, 2020
    #27984
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  5. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    the rover ticket isn't for Crossville heritage coaches is it?
     
    martin1656, Jul 17, 2020
    #27985
  6. JBTEvans

    JBTEvans Part of the furniture

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    Washford Bank prime land for building on.
     
    JBTEvans, Jul 17, 2020
    #27986
  7. Alan Kebby

    Alan Kebby Well-Known Member

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    Whatever happens there would be huge political pressure to keep the line intact one way or another. Look at all the recent news about feasibility studies into reopening old lines. One with the track still in place wouldn’t be ripped up in a hurry.

    But hopefully the worst come come to the worst.
     
    Alan Kebby, Jul 17, 2020
    #27987
  8. nine elms fan

    nine elms fan Part of the furniture

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    Mmmmm an interesting comment. A former WSRA member maybe.:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
     
    nine elms fan, Jul 17, 2020
    #27988
  9. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    whilst most of this is speculation there are a number of questions and actions which need to be considered and take place

    1 - given the level of disagreement and mistrust in the WSR family a new vehicle is needed . This could come about as part of implementing the bailey report , it could come about by collapsing the existing company and a new one being created to take over . Either way it is about control
    2- Somerset CC would need to agree to the sale of the freehold . an economic downturn of course may be the catalyst as a way of raising cash to support essential public services
    3 - exactly what land sits within the freehold and how much in theory is /could be available for development outside core railway use .
    4 - I presume the land is designated railway use so changing Minehead station for example may be more of a challenge
    5 - Dangerous presumption but a major tourist attraction remains preferable to the council as it benefits the local economy
     
    Sidmouth, Jul 17, 2020
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  10. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    they don't own the freehold so a plc receiver has limited assets to sell off
     
    Sidmouth, Jul 17, 2020
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  11. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    Given general press coverage of the effect of Covid on council finances, and SCC's known shortage of cash, I wouldn't care to bet on item 5 preventing item 2 coming about.
     
    35B, Jul 17, 2020
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  12. nine elms fan

    nine elms fan Part of the furniture

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    So does new housing!
     
    nine elms fan, Jul 17, 2020
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  13. Alan Kebby

    Alan Kebby Well-Known Member

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    True. However SCC could potentially sell off parcels of land to raise funds, before agreeing a new lease with someone else for whatever was left.

    But yes all wild speculation.
     
    Alan Kebby, Jul 17, 2020
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  14. 6960 Raveningham Hall

    6960 Raveningham Hall Member Friend

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    Quick, somebody fetch Matron.

    Martin’s been drinking his knee medication again.
     
    6960 Raveningham Hall, Jul 17, 2020
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  15. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    and yes that of course becomes a perfectly valid option .
     
    Sidmouth, Jul 17, 2020
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  16. granmaree

    granmaree Member

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    Knock the A off the end and look at the chair. Got both feet in the development company so basically controls it. (Info on Companies House, including Incorporation date)
     
    granmaree, Jul 17, 2020
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  17. Forestpines

    Forestpines Well-Known Member

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    But there may well be significant pressure to return the line to being part of the national network, as applies to most (but not all) of the feasibility studies in the news recently.

    Strip it back to being a "basic railway" and you have plenty of spare land to sell off for development. The County Council gets more council tax payers with a convenient train service into Taunton and Bristol; and any WSR directors who also happen to be involved in property development would potentially be in an ideal position to profit from housing developments right by the stations.

    Obviously I'm not criticising the actions of any named individuals here, but it's straightforward to go over to Companies House and find out if any WSR directors do also happen to be property development company directors, should there be any such overlap...
     
    Forestpines, Jul 17, 2020
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  18. Triumph 2500S

    Triumph 2500S Well-Known Member

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    Doesn't say it is!

    Very misleading ad if that is the case!

    Tempted to ring Barnes to find out
     
    Triumph 2500S, Jul 17, 2020
    #27998
  19. baldbof

    baldbof Well-Known Member Friend

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    Well, well, well. just sayin'
     
    baldbof, Jul 17, 2020
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  20. Triumph 2500S

    Triumph 2500S Well-Known Member

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    What Development Company - we need to know please!
     
    Triumph 2500S, Jul 17, 2020
    #28000
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