Launceston Steam Railway

Well done to Kay I like the colour scheme, while I like the colour red sometimes a green engine is just what is called for, what a proper job as they say is those parts

 

We plan to have 'D' out this Thursday to top and tail some passenger trains with one of the regular Hunslets (likely to be Lilian given the good weather!). This will be the only opportunity to see her in action for the next few weeks, as her next turn in public will not be until she is completely finished (i.e. fully plumbed up for air brakes and lined out) - which should, hopefully, be towards the end of the season.

Velinheli's new tubes are going in and she should be back in action towards the end of the summer. Railcar should be out for an evening test run with its new engine soon too.

 

August Bank Holiday update:

Velinheli's boiler has successfully passed its hydraulic test and will be refitted to the frames shortly.

Dorothea is progressing slowly but is unlikely to be out in the peak season - but we do hope to have her running solo this year if possible. Unfortunately with progress on V & D being slower than expected, this leaves us without a spare loco if Lilian goes to Wales next month.

Covertcoat has also had a visit from the boiler inspector recently and is warming through ready for trains tomorrow ('cause it's no fun driving an open topped engine in the rain).

Railcar is almost ready for test runs with its 'new' engine - these will take place after the peak season ends.

Cornwall Council have recently submitted a Compulsory Purchase Order plus planning application relating to their new multi-use trail. The original plan for a 100% off-road trail and extension of the railway has now developed into a 46% on-road trail, with the off-road section designed in a way which would block the extension of the railway (the trail would be a 2.5m wide strip of tarmac down the middle of the railway trackbed). Further details of the situation, including how to view and object to the planning application, can be found on the news page of our website.

 

Thank you Charlie, I like to hear 'behind the scene' info and look forward to hearing how the railcar is progressing. I allways visit Kernow in the off season and do not get to visit this wonderful railway so your posts are invaluable to me.

 

"Cornwall Council have recently submitted a Compulsory Purchase Order plus planning application relating to their new multi-use trail. The original plan for a 100% off-road trail and extension of the railway has now developed into a 46% on-road trail, with the off-road section designed in a way which would block the extension of the railway (the trail would be a 2.5m wide strip of tarmac down the middle of the railway trackbed). Further details of the situation, including how to view and object to the planning application, can be found on the news page of our website."

Thanks, Charobin for this news. It seems like the usual high handed vindictiveness of a council that has failed to get everything its own way in negotiations - if they can't browbeat they resort to the big stick of a compulsory purchase order. I hope that there will be a flood of objections - it would be great to see trains return to Egloskerry.

 

PS

I have just tried to lodge an objection on the county council's website, and when I tried to send it was told that it had been timed out, so I have to start all over again. Presumably the council want only soundbites and no detailed argument.

I'm not going to give up that easily with my objection.

 

PPS

I managed to lodge my objection on line.

It is interesting that the original intention as set out in the council's application for grant money, was for an off road route from Launceston, not New Mills, and the council's web site still says:
"In Launceston, the project will create a new off-road multi-use trail from central Launceston travelling west 8km to Egloskerry along the route of the old railway. The project is expected to provide new tourism opportunities for local businesses."

This is hardly consistent with preventing an extension of the existing steam railway which is a local business running since 1983.

 

Hi Charlie I will support the cause, but CCC have not made it very easy as I cant get to the link to object and their website is not allowing access either, it also appears that the Council only have a year in which to build the trail before the funding is pulled, how shortsightedness is that.

 

Cornwall Council's website requires that you should open an account with them before you can enter an objection on line. However, if you don't want to do that, you can still object by letter.

 

PS

Mention the reference - planning application PA12/07870 - and use either the on line facility or post to Cornwall Council, 3/5 Barn Lane, Bodmin, Cornwall PL31 1LZ. Although the Council's application is to itself, it is obliged to give fair consideration to representations and the application could get reviewed by the Secretary of State.

 

If you want to support the LSR we strongly recommend you submit a personal objection to the planning application; however, if it is more convenient you can also now sign our petition at Petition Objection to the Cornwall Council Planning Application which will prevent extension of the Launceston Steam Railway which will be submitted as part of an objection in around a week's time.

 

Link to the planning details on the CCC website.

PA12/07870 | New multi-use trail for cyclists, walkers and horse riders along former railway corridor, extension of existing car park at New Mills, associated clearance, fencing and drainage works | Land To The West Of New Mills Launceston Cornwall

Simon

 

Objections to the planning application on the Cornwall Council website need to be made by tomorrow. The petition will remain open for signatures for the moment.

The planning application, as an application by the council to itself which has attracted objections, can not be decided by a Council officer under delegated powers and therefore must be discussed by the East Cornwall sub-area planning committee at one of their three-weekly meetings. This meeting can be attended by members of the public - we will publicise when and where the meeting is, should anyone wish to attend.

Many thanks to all those who have supported us so far - over 600 signatures on the petition and nearly 70 individual objections to the planning application so far. As Nigel Bowman said the other day, "I didn't think so many people thought so well of us!"

 

Fingers crossed, Charlie.

 

BBC Radio Cornwall report from this morning: Launceston Steam Railway : BBC Radio Cornwall report on the TRAC Project - YouTube

 

Do you think the news report suggests that people have to make a choice between the cycle trail and a railway when that isn't the case at all? The choice really is a cycle path or a cycle path and a railway extension isn't it?

 

It seems clear that a joint use by railway and cycle trail was being discussed by the Railway and the Council, but the Council has got cold feet about the cost (£350K) of performing its part of the project. I think that the South West Rural Development Agency which is contributing £1.5M to the scheme should review whether it still wants to give the Council this money if the Council is now, it seems somewhat vindictively, preventing the Railway from extending. Surely the grant was on the basis that the Railway would be extended as well as providing a cycle path?

 

If life was simple I would ask the South West Rural Development Agency to take back the money from the council and give it to Nigel to help develop the railway, they would certainly get value for money that way.

 

If the planning application by Cornwall Council to itself for the cycle path is going to its own committee, we need to find out when it goes to committee and then write to the members of planning sub-committee (it will be the East area sub-committee I should think) to ask them to oppose the application. Reasons for any refusal would have to be based on planning considerations, not just because we like the railway. If there are any local people among us, they may be better able to give some concrete (no pun intended) information as to why the proposal will cause dangerous traffic conditions on nearby roads and why it would be detrimental to a well established tourist attraction which benefits Launceston's economy. This is the kind of thing that may persuade members of the sub-committee to turn down the planning application.

It will be worth studying the report to sub-committee, which will presumably be an officer recommendation to approve, to see what weaknesses in it can be attacked.

I shall be watching the council's web site in its planning section.

 

One from this week's local rag:


To address a few points raised in this thread:

The SWRDA grant of £1.5 million was to cover 2 trails at Launceston and Bude and some work at Caradon Hill. The trail at Bude has now been cancelled completely. The Caradon Hill work, which was the only part of the project not managed by the Council's TRAC Project Manager Chris Hariades, came in on-time and under budget. The funding is now controlled by DEFRA (they 'absorbed' the SWRDA), who have already threatened to withdraw part or all of it, and who are well aware of the number of objections to the current scheme.

The estimate of costs the Council would incur for accommodating the railway was prepared by Mr Hariades without consulting the ORR regarding the clearances and requirements for a new railway alongside a multi-use trail. The estimated costs were revised to a much lower figure by the LSR, which was accepted by Mr Hariades.

I drove along the road which is proposed to be used as part of the trail the other day and met someone walking their dog. I was only able to pass them at a passing bay where I also passed another car. Make your own conclusions about the space available on the road for thousands of extra walkers/cyclists/riders.

Although the radio piece does make it seem that the choice is between railway or trail, it is nonetheless good publicity for the situation. Although the choice is currently trail or trail and railway, should the current trail project fail then the option of railway only does become available. Obviously we would prefer to be part of a combined railway and trail scheme which would be of the greatest benefit to the area.

Incidentally at least one of the landowners affected by the trail has objected to the planning application on the basis that neither they nor other landowners were served with the required legal notice which the application form alleges they were.


If you want some non-trail news, how about a little tease : there is a possibility (and I should stress it is only a possibility at present) that another locomotive may arrive at Launceston by the end of the year.