Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

South of the Bridwick Farm to wherever the Wistlandpound Station site

As far as i am aware this section is owned by Southwest Water as part of there property around Wistlandpound.

 

I was rather thinking of pedestrian ingress/egress so as to stroll through Parracombe and to enjoy its delights such as St Petroc's Church and to enjoy a visit to the Fox & Goose...

 

Does not look like things have changed since 1898!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parracombe_railway_station
There are several in the village who see the railway helping the economy and jobs.
Whilst others who moved to the village for it's quietness are not looking forward to trains of tourists.
Hopefully a compromise can be found again and the TWAO approved.

 

I bet some of the incomers complain about the Church bells, cows mooing, cocks crowing, and the sound of agricultural machinery at all times of day and night.

 

...not to mention the rich country aroma

 

I wonder if boilers could be converted to burn dried cow dung and whether it would seen to be green or perhaps the smell would be unacceptable.

 

Point of Order: The Exmoor uplands are predominantly sheep and pony country. Cows get altitude sickness, which curdles the milk.

My money is still on torrified biofuel pellets (not dung!) as the most likely coal substitute, assuming miniaturised thorium reactors, currently being developed, remain restricted tech.

 

the railway objectors have lived in the village for a while and probably got used to village sounds, but not extra tourists.

The interactive maps with Google satellite view is really good and been updated.
Are Southwest Water willing to sell or lease the trackbed at Wistlandpound?

 

I think that's a question best kept off the forum

 

Why so? If they own a stretch of land that the railway would like to use, either there is at least a possibility that they will agree to sell or lease it or that is out of the question and a further diversion will be needed. If the former, then negotiation over the details might be sensitive and best kept private, but I see no harm in asking the basic question as to whether there is a possibility.

 

I don't know the situation with this particular section of the line but I think that discussion about any trackbed not owned by the Trust is best avoided in an open forum.

 

As per Harold's posting above, any speculation regarding whether a particular stretch of land may or may not be available, how much it may cost, who the owners are etc. is best avoided on a public forum and left to those managing the railway.

 

Our curiosity over all matters L&B is perfectly natural, I share it myself. On the specific matter of reacquiring the old right of way though, there's much beyond the normal commercial sensitivities to consider. If one carelessly worded post gets the wrong back up, it could too easily kybosh years of delicate negotiations, regardless of whether said post expressed any 'official' viewpoint, or was just some ill-considered speculation.

Under most circumstances, I'm one of those arguing for as much transparency as humanly possible, but not at the cost of upsetting a delicately balanced apple cart. Please keep in mind too, that when it comes to keeping us informed, neither the L&B Trust nor Exmoor Associates have been stingy with info. Let's please reign it in and give them the opportunity to get on with what they've been doing so well.

 

The notice of the purchase for the "Parracombe Halt" site is now on the L&B website.

See >>> https://www.lynton-rail.org.uk/story/parracombe-halt-ours

Once again the L&BR Land Purchase Fund is open and ready to receive donations to refill the coffers ready for the next piece of trackbed that comes our way. Meanwhile, an appeal has been launched to raise funds to bridge the gap between Rick & Barbara's contribution and the total costs. The target is £150,000.

The Trust is always very grateful for all contributions towards our appeals - be they large or small - and can claim a further 25% in Gift Aid on your donations too.

Without your support, the current impetus will be much harder to sustain.

Please go to https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/form/donation to make a contribution.

Many thanks.

 

I see they have now purchased Parracombe halt and own all the track bed from there to Woody Bay for the first time. Hopefully some physical progress soon then?

 

I think you meant 'now purchased' rather than 'not purchased' - slip of the finger!
Woody Bay has just been on 'Escape to the Country' on BBC1 - the presenter drove Axe down the line and was made up with it.

 

As I understand it, the TWAO is required before any physical work can take place. I believe work on that is proceeding.

 

Woops

 

Not only that, but AIUI the 'Grampian conditions' (?) on the planning consent require the Trust to own (or be about to buy) all the necessary land and have (or be eligible for grants to have) all the money necessary to fund the work before ANY construction can start. We can NOT (for example) start to build from KL to PE simply because we now own all the necessary land and have the planning permission - the ENPA will not permit it for the simple (and understandable) reason that they don't want work to start but then fail (for whatever reason) to reach completion all the way to Blackmoor.

The above point has been made several times before. Please pay attention there at the back of the class

That's my understanding, but I stand to be corrected by those with better knowledge of the subject.

 

As a picture of the recently acquired bungalow has now been posted on the L&B website, I think I can post my own picture of it, taken from the road bridge over the line in 2014.
The original concrete shelter can be seen on the right, with the sloping roof.
At the time I took the picture I thought this is going to be tricky, but with patience...