Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

It took the Bluebell more than three decades to assemble the land for six miles of extension north of Horsted Keynes, and there is still one short section (of about 200 yards) where only half (of a double track) formation was acquired, with the result that the line has a short length with restricted clearance between the line and the boundary.

I suspect patience is a virtue in situations like this.

Tom

 

Ah! Tom, that was years ago when people were more inclined to be patient and not expect things to be instant as they are for many today.

 

That is why I decided to buy shares in EA. The patience and LT vision appealed to me.

Capability Brown planted trees in a pattern he was never likely to see in maturity, but he still did it. So I helped EA (a bit) as there will be something of me years after I've gone. (and I don't want a plaque, heavens forbid!)

 

Couldn't agree more. Plaques are SO last decade!

 

I fully agree and accept that everyone, like myself, has the right to choose and purchase EA shares if they so wish. But please be aware that EA's remit is to purchase the remaining trackbed in Phase 3, meaning that their property acquisitions will remain idle for many years to come. In effect, EA property can be categorised as "Nice to Have" rather than "Must Have".

The "Must Have" trackbed is that required by the L&BR itself, between Killington Lane (Bridge 65) and the proposed site of the new station at Wistlandpound. The sooner this missing trackbed can be acquired the sooner the extension project will proceed.

 

How many landowners are involved in this section? Is there a willingness to negotiate?

 

Well, certainly not in one well-known location near Parracombe :-(

 

I can only speak for myself, but I've followed the L&B with interest from a distance for a number of years, but only got involved in funding BF because of the immediacy and the long-term problem that it would cause if we missed this chance. I'll be joining the L&B next week, but I wonder if the same "here's the target, let's go get it" will be present in Phase 2 when the TWAO powers are in place?

On CP, whilst I obviously understand that it is a last resort measure only, I'm not clear on how it would work. If I own a farmhouse with the solum running through the meadow, does the railway need to CP (i) the meadow; (ii) the farmhouse and the meadow or (iii) the solum alone? If it is (iii), and I vorciferously objected to the railway at all, wouldn't I be incentivised to sell (i) or (ii) in order to avoid (iii)?

 

As I understand it, each parcel of land would be treated according to the specific circumstances, but generally, only the land originally owned by the railway would be considered for CP.

 

Many thanks, @Old Kent Biker .

 

Obviously we all respond to different appeals in different ways- I know that when I get the yearly appeal from wikipedia that reads something like "If everyone reading wikipedia now gave £3, we would be funded for a year and wouldn't need to ask again" I give them the money. Three quid, no problem, here. Now buzz off and let me read.
I also know that when I see an appeal along the lines of "for the price of a pint each day/week/month for 5 years,we can build a >insertlocomotivehere< , I go cold. I do not want to have a constant, unending trickle of pennies for ever, with Mrs Ross keep asking what the direct debit for £17 is on the 22nd of each month. But I would give £200 once a year.
If you told me that £2000, once, would rebuild the L&B, if we all paid, my cheque would be on the mat on tuesday.
I like simple. I don't like vague, or nebulous. It might be that clarity, rather than affordability, was the key to the A1's success

 

Or not. Maybe I am just weird.

 

Not at all. There was a time when charity collectors came round rattling tins. Nowadays they come round with clipboards asking for direct debits. I didn't mind dropping the odd bob or two into the slot on the top of the tin...

 

I thought that in view of the comments on the planning application.

 

The TWAO plans will show the land agreed necessary for construction and operation of the railway. If CPO powers are included these will allow compulsory purchase of this land only, nothing more.

For the landowner the inconvenience of having, for example, your meadow divided in two with the larger part on the “wrong side” could be a factor in arguing for additional compensation, in the event of a CPO, or a justifiably higher price for a negotiated sale. Or the landowner might only be willing to negotiate selling a larger area of land, leaving the railway to decide what to do with the rest.

In the event of a CPO the final compensation is set via a legally defined process which does not prevent the railway taking possession of the land on the required date, even if the final level of compensation has not been settled at that time.

 

That last is a very interesting piece of information, Miff, and probably not widely known.
Regarding compensation values puts me in mind of the RVRs case, where a reinstated line would leave a small, irregularly shaped part of one landowners field sandwiched between the railway and the river, the loss of which, claims the landowner, would make his business unviable. Bear in mind that said land amounts to approx. 2 acres, wheras their total landholding is around 600 acres. There will undoubtedly be some of this going on in Devon, so thank heaven for the TWAO process which can look at these matters forensically and dispassionately.

 

...with CP as a last resort measure to limit the ability of landowners to use ransom strips to prevent legitimate developments from taking place.

It’s been said upthread, and I completely agree, that discussion of the prospect of CP should be avoided if possible, and the focus be on agreeing what’s necessary to sustain reopening.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

The current position is that the L&BR has thus far secured ownership of more than half the required trackbed sections between Killington Lane Bridge and Wistlandpound. And yes, all but one of the remaining landowners are engaged in positive negotiations with the railway.

 

Thanks Chris D for your detailed replies. It would be interesting to know roughly how many people (in addition to me ) have joined the L & BR recently as a result of the BF purchase/publicity. Also, will there be any more track laying along the extension route, on trackbed already owned, before the TWAO is finalised?

 

Welcome to the organisation.

Regarding your membership question, only the Membership Secretary will be able to answer the question you ask.

As for tracklaying, certainly not between Killington Lane and Blackmoor. However, between Blackmoor and Wistlandpound, I wouldn't be surprised to see some further construction work, but not track laying. Track laying is one of the last tasks undertaken.