Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

Having just listened to nearly all the audio from Tuesdays meeting, 2 things came across:
1) The warmth of goodwill towards the railway from so many locals, and particularly traders, and then
2) The sheer animosity from Mrs Grob towards the ENPA panel. They were literally hectored for 10 minutes on how they ought to be disposing their responsibilities, finishing them off with her "drag you through the mud" comment.
Her extraordinary opening remark to them was "I expect you're all sick of me by now!"
So at least she was on the mark with something, anyway

 

I was at Tuesday's Planning Meeting in Lynton Town Hall and what became very apparent was that each of public speakers who supported the railway spoke of how an extended railway would greatly benefit the local community and businesses, whereas each speaker who objected spoke in terms of how it would effect 'me'.

My favourite comment was told by one of the Planning Authority members who said "A reborn railway will be the future of the past".

Chris

 

I was not there but what I heard on radio/tv and have read recently and in the past in local newspapers squares up more than adequately with Axe+1's comments about how the plans affect people i.e. the community in general or simply 'me'.

 

As an admin of the Facebook L&B page, I posted the following when I first heard of these comments:

This group is a community of L&B supporters. It has been brought to the Admin's attention that, following the recent ENPA planning meeting, a number of ad hominem attacks have been posted on a number of groups on Facebook against some of those opposing the railway. This is not in the spirit of the L&B itself, and not in any way to be condoned.

As stated in the group description:
"NOTE: Inappropriate, off-topic, or spam posts will be deleted, and the poster may also be removed WITHOUT NOTICE. Please don't do it"

Although some people do not share our ideals, objectives, and passions, they are entitled to disagree with us. We should be magnanimous in victory and not stoop to lower our own standards. Please report any comments you feel are inappropriate. Thank You.​

If anybody here is aware of any unpleasant comments relating to this still on Facebook, please PM me with the details. We have been able to get some of the worst comments removed by Facebook, but as is the nature of social media, these things are very easily spread far and wide.

 

PM sent.

 

Its a delightful aphorism, isnt it?
Could almost be a counterpart for "Perchance it is not dead but sleepeth"

 

Sits well alongside the tag adopted by the VoR for their apprentice projects: "Our Past is Their Future"

Though I've always had a soft spot for the immortal "JGF"* of the Ffesterbahn's volunteer contingent!

* Oh for pete's sake ..... go and look it up!

 

Although I am a middle class, middle aged male, and an 'incomer' where I live, I agree with this. There is such a selfish 'I'm alright Jack' attitude with those who are fortunate enough to own their own houses in a nice part of the country, that I occasionally feel this country needs a revolution! Let's get houses built, and thus bring down prices so that the younger generation can join the property owning democracy, and let's encourage enterprise that will create jobs for them. If this compromises someone's rural idyll, too bad.

John

 

A report today in a local newspaper. No dissent mentioned.
http://www.northdevongazette.co.uk/news/lynton-and-barnstaple-railway-extension-aproved-1-5427846

 

If anyone needs to see the pitfalls of contentious planning applications writ large, scroll down to the article about Torridge DC's vote to permit 8 houses to be constructed at Shebbear, against the advice of planners.

I think you'll agree, however frustrating many of us found the delays, it was worth the wait to get the L&B application right.

 

Agree with decision those who object to the scheme......small matter of £16.5 million to be found. Money is tight at the moment and looks to get tighter if our present Government heads in the direction it is going.

 

There are many heritage schemes vying for donations and support - this Forum has quite a few.
However, if money for such causes becomes more hard to come by I believe the majority of those folk who wish and are able to financially support some of the projects will be discerning and choose those seen as viable and have a prudent management at the helm.
We see a few occasions here where trusts and associations are a little too casual in spending subscription/donation money on vanity, ego or 'to prove a point' issues. Most appeals I am sure will be judged on their merits.

 

A much better article than the extremely sloppy reporting in yesterday's Western Morning News article which got nearly everything it could wrong.

 

and no silly railway puns either..

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

They get special training to stay on track so people like us won't rail against them.

 

Aw! Its just not the same without all that "Full steam ahead for Rail buffs chuffed at being on the right track of planning decision" stuff!

 

A pity your not enthused about this project Paul, but hey I'm not enthusiastic about other projects myself (never been interested in diesels and 'community railways'), so that's fair enough. Perhaps if and when things develop more, you might just change your mind on it. Somehow I knew you'd mention about the length though, which is a bit awkward as running the line beyond Blackmoor to Wistlandpound is kind of an integral part of their plans, would that be too far a run for you? Personally I'd like to believe a full length railway between it's two namesakes can work and will in time come to fruition, and I'd like to think if such a time comes you may be around to see it and perhaps change your thoughts on the idea. If not then that's fine.

That is true about not everybody loving such things like trains and such, I'm certainly not much a fan of football in general... but you know what most people like? Money. The big selling point for this project has been the money it can bring in to the area, and there's been plenty of studies and much alike to support this concept. The potentially benefits for the area are just too big for most to ignore and not be enthused about. Costly project? Sure. A return in investment? Oh I have no doubt it'll do that.

 

I certainly wouldn't like to see Axe go either, and I see no reason why they will. She may not be the strongest engine now, but she has still proven her worth and is an integral part of the history of the railway's revival now, it would be like the Bluebell selling off Stepney. If the Ffestiniog Railway can make use of smaller engines such as Lilla, Britomart and Hugh Napier, then I'm sure the L&B can find a purpose for Axe, especially if as suggested she acquires a tender of some sort.

Plus it makes good planning to have her stick round really, when they decide many decades in the future to re-enact the first train from Woody Bay to the old site of Killington Lane. It's bound to happen!

 

A cobbler's children are the worst shod!

 

Interestingly, this article was no longer available for viewing, when I googled it this morning. A little publicity shy, perhaps?

John