Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

Thats not quite what Axe+1 said about cp powers.
We dont know what's going on in the background-there could be some (unexpected!) negotiations going on. As suggested, i think it is probably best to not speculate on cp powers at present.

 

As has been said we will need to wait and see. Based on another application for a TWAO - there is a lot of detail to get right - having to correct things after the application is lodged only serves to delay matters. The paper work needs to be right and complete before it is submitted. Once this is done, it is in the Public domain and may answer many of the questions raised in this thread. We will all have an opportunity to write to support the application. It has to be said that this is not a quick process. In the meantime we just need to be patient.

 

One thing that has struck me more that once, with regards to both the L&B itself and their partners the Exmoor Associates. Is the resemblance to the A1 Steam Trust, insomuch as they always have something "on the go" so speak. Just look how the A1 boys/girls are going hammer and tongs with the P2, yet are also collecting new parts for and planning what they need for their next loco the V4.

 

Thanks again for your replies RailWest.
Is it right that the railway can be rebuilt and progress using something called “inherited rights”? i.e. that it can use the techniques, health & safety, regulations etc that were around in the Victorian/Edwardian era when the line was in use. And doesn’t have to conform to modern safety regulations etc?

 

No - using antiquated equipment doesn’t absolve you of complying with current law. Sometimes that can be quite prosaic - for example, if you have a cafe, it will be subject to current food hygiene regulations - you can’t adulterate your ingredients in the way that was rife in the nineteenth century!

Operationally, the railway will have to have - and indeed, will already have - a “safety management system” which is really a collection of rules and procedures about how you operate the line and monitor, maintain and repair the equipment; and train and certify the competency of your staff. Some of those procedures and standards will be based on historic ones because they are appropriate, but there isn’t an automatic presumption that the old ways of doing things are automatically fit for purpose in modern conditions.

Tom

 

No it isn’t. All current legislation and standards must be complied with but bear in mind the specific requirements for a new 25mph heritage railway are likely to be somewhat simpler to satisfy than, for example, HS2.

 

Just picking up on the question from @Jr1990, there are some circumstances where so called “grandfather” rights apply. However, they are usually very limited in extent, and only really relevant to something that has remained in use, perhaps a station on a gradient that wouldn’t be allowed today, or continued use of a vehicle not built to today’s standards.

None of that would apply to the L&B, which is in the eyes of the law a new build railway using (largely) new build vehicles.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Meanwhile ... the following treasure trove of L&BR images turned up in my feed, from the Lens of Sutton Association:

https://thetransportlibrary.co.uk/?route=product/search&search=Lens+of+Sutton+Lynton+&+Barnstaple

(Scroll through - several pages of images).

Tom

 

Thanks for the replies and information given so far.
Yes “grandfather” rights or “inherited/acquired” rights I’d heard mentioned numerous times before in relation to reinstating the railway. So taking the property “Fair View” as an example, (I’m not sure if there are other properties in a similar situation along the entire route?). It was mentioned that the reinstated railway is allowed to be rebuilt so close to that house using these “grandfather/inherited” rights because that’s how it was originally, but not necessarily how it would be allowed today. How does that stand when a large addition has since been added to the property since the railway originally closed? Those inherited rights surely don’t exist anymore as the set up has completely changed. So if it relies on the latest health and safety/construction regulations could it be a major problem? Or is it set in stone that there definitely couldn’t be any problems here?
And regarding the TWAO could the railway have shot itself in the foot by selling the property? If the new owner is not a fan of the railway or involved in it, could he/she scupper the plans by putting in an objection to the reinstatement based on what I’ve already said?
I hope not, I want to see the extension open ASAP but realise there are lots of hurdles to get through first.

 

Please stop asking about properties and the neighbours. The L&B board have asked people to not discuss it. If we really want to help the L&B then the best thing is to take in their account. As much as we might disagree with what the L&B board is doing or want to discuss it. Nothing good can come of raising the issue here.

 

Well said.

 

I endorse the comments of @H Cloutt and @Monkey Magic about discussion of sensitive topics; I recommend a read through this thread to get a flavour of the issues at stake. It is definitely a case of "Loose Words Cost Railways".

In answer to your question, this is something that would need specialist advice and guidance where anyone qualified to give an opinion on specifics would rightly want to discuss the full details in private rather than give advice on a forum; I am no specialist and no know more than enough to tell me that I am at the limits of my depth. I can only recommend that if you have a specific interest in the L&B you join the L&B Railway Trust.

 

Some slightly disappointing news, such is life:

Trackbed Latest – Exmoor Associates (exmoor-associates.co.uk)

 

A shame, but maybe it will become available again at some future date.

 

Can but commiserate and echo Railwest' sentiment. Insomuch as there's always tomorrow......

 

Absolutely.
It's not like its been lost to another buyer, just back on the rack (Jack).

 

The page makes interesting reading. There is a comment at the end discouraging speculation about potential purchases on open forums. This can have a negative effect on negotiations and could lead to the loss of an opportunity for a purchase. I am sure that the information will be made available once the purchase has been completed.

I am sure that some feel that these pages are only read by supporters of the various rail projects but this is clearly not the case.

 

While it's obviously pertinent to all online media, I suspect the comment is alluding specifically to FaceAche, as whenever a potential acquisition is announced it's always met with a bombardment of 'Where is it? How long is it? Where is it? How long is it? Where is it? How long is it...?' across the various L&B sites.

With this most recent section, EA had made the vague announcement that it was between Bratton and Wistlandpound. Someone then immediately took that to mean all the trackbed between Bratton and Wistlandpound. Some people just can't help themselves unfortunately.

 

Yup. Keep mum- they're not so dumb.

 

I'm just looking forward to seeing Woody Bay open again and pictures of a steam engine running through the N Devon countryside.