West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I believe someone is interested in the line and its 'surroundings'. One or two contenders - or maybe a consortium? Time will tell.

 

Presumably a question the County Council, as owners of the land, would hold the answer to?

 

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?

 

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

 

the rover ticket isn't for Crossville heritage coaches is it?

 

Washford Bank prime land for building on.

 

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.

 

Mmmmm an interesting comment. A former WSRA member maybe.

 

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.

 

So does new housing!

 

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.

 

Quick, somebody fetch Matron.

Martin’s been drinking his knee medication again.

 

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)

 

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...

 

Doesn't say it is!

Very misleading ad if that is the case!

Tempted to ring Barnes to find out

 

Well, well, well. just sayin'

 

What Development Company - we need to know please!