West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I wonder if the Council felt it necessary to go over the tenants head

 

Would you not go to the landowner rather than the tenant? That was always the case when we rented property and there was an issue involving the building, drainage or land.

 

I wouldn’t read too much into the reporting, because I doubt the journo will have been being precise with the use of language. I guess I would also expect that the council might talk to both the tenants and the landlords.

 

Landowners and tenants are normally responsible for above and below ground land drainage and water run-off (e.g. pipes, ditches, culverts). A field drainage system will typically discharge in to a stream or river and it should be subject to a consent but there are so many that often they aren’t; the Environment Agency is responsible for ‘main rivers’ and local authorities for most other smaller watercourses. In a few, typically low lying areas like Lincs & Somerset there are Internal Drainage Boards.

Water companies (meaning those providing water and sewerage services) are normally only responsible for public sewers which are either ‘foul only’ sewers or ‘combined sewers’ which take foul and surface water for treatment at a sewage works. Combined sewer networks are more common in the industrial midlands and north than in the south. A number of formerly private sewers, pumping stations and septic tanks were transferred to water companies in 2011. It is unusual for a water company to have responsibility for land drainage, but not unheard of.

 

The Highways Act entitles the council to require the owner or occupier of land to take action if the highway is affected. If in doubt I’d expect they’d try to contact both.

 

That’s interesting, there are all sorts of historic agreements and responsibilities. As per your example some water companies work with landowners / farmers on the quality and quantity of discharges in to watercourses. There’s a lot of media coverage about storm sewer overflows but there are many other contributory factors. It’s even more complicated when factoring in railway & highway drainage, discharges from old industrial sites and surface water flooding. It’s wise for heritage railways to spend a little time and money maintaining their drainage systems to protect their own assets and avoid causing problems to adjacent roads and sites. I work for a water company and sometimes our assets cause a problem to third parties and sometimes we’re impacted by third parties. ‘Injured parties’ always seek to recover their costs; consequential damage / remedial works costs can be eye watering and insurance policies rarely cover everything!

 

Apologies if this has already been covered back up the thread - to what extent will this affect the Spring Gala? I just need a fix of the WSR in Spring, that's all.

 

The operating days are up on the railway's website, season begins 18th March, shows full line trains.

Gala is the last weekend of April by the looks of it, as there's no timetable colour for that weekend.

 

Glad to hear that your still holding events, I thought after the landslip there was going to be nothing.

Although, looks like you won't be holding a diesel nor autumn gala this year.

 

Having a sort out and came across a WSR poster from about 1980. It’s in pretty good condition for its age, and wondered if it might be of any use to either BA or BL museums - would probably benefit from a frame to be honest.
Would rather it was of some use to the railway than thrown away.
Anyone know who I can contact at either museum?
Thanks


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The Gauge Museam at Lydeard and the Blue Anchor Museum are operated by The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust so an email for the attention of the curator is probably best.

 

Diesel Gala is 8 - 10 June and the DEPG 50th Anniversary Celebrations 22 - 23 September.

 

I stand corrected.
Although, I did mean Autumn STEAM Gala but one is enough, makes it that little more special.

 

I'm not involved with the WSR. It seems there's an event over 9-10 Sept, could be that, or maybe they just don't want to commit at this moment in time to a second event.

 

Well, it is up to them what they do/don't do, I just noticed it on the websites calendar, that's all.

 

That's the Forties Weekend.

 

I suspect that the curator post must be vacant. I offered an item six weeks or so ago and haven't had a reply.

 

Thank you for confirming that, I'm guessing that there will be a temporary speed restriction at that bridge/area until any necessary works are completed, but I'm really glad it isn't too severe.

I'll see about booking some accommodation for that weekend.