Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

I think Martin has a very good idea to just get a short length of track in place, as a "statement of intent", as it is at Snapper Halt now I believe.

 

I thought Lyn was the septic tank... being a Baldwin and all...

 

Whilst it would there is also a downside in that would those that take a holiday let (assuming that's what it will be used for in the immediate future) appreciate random visits from passing enthusiasts whilst spending time in a fairly remote rural retreat?

Also (and I don't know the answer) would laying some track make car access to the bungalow more difficult?


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I can think of any number of potential problems with installing a length of track, however beguiling the notion may appear. Tripping hazard, restriction of disabled access to the garden, restricting parking/turning area, damage to visiting motor vehicles, maintenance, rust, tetanus....any of which could be a source of litigation. I imagine many potential holidaymakers seeking to rent a cottage in the area are not particular railway enthusiasts, simply wanting a roof in a pretty place.
My old boss at Network Rail espoused the theory that with rail infrastructure-"do nothing until you have to, then invest enough to do the job properly first time". I'm not saying only he was necessarily right, but our department's projects generally did not overrun on time or cost (which is a fairly unique claim!)

 

Quite - there is no way you could install any railway infrastructure into the station site if visitors are going to be staying at 'Long Acre' (as I understand they will be once the septic tank problem is solved). This has been done at Snapper Halt and to a lesser extent perhaps at Chelfham; but neither of these has visitors staying and cutting themselves on bits of old wagon or breaking their ankles falling over track...

 

Whilst installing track etc has many potential problems, I do hope the running in boards can be replaced in the short term.

Keith

 

If you mean the one pictured below, that might have to wait for a bit- it belongs to next door.

 

Does the Lynton end board still exist, or was it obliterated by the extension?

 

We need a ten-bridges campaign to buy the track-bed between bridge 24 at Chelfham and bridge 34 at Bratton Fleming!

Does anyone know how long that section is, and how many land-owners there are?

 

Doesn't mean it couldn't be reinstated though...
Depends how railway friendly next door is!

Keith

 

Ho-ho!

 

2 miles 3 chains (thanks to Michael Bishop on groups.io) and 12 separate owners according to another poster on the same group.

 

If EA have been speaking to the 12 landowners and perhaps have provisional agreement to purchase for some of them, maybe a Just Giving target could be set to see if it was possible to buy at least one of the plots using this method?

Keith

 

My thoughts too - though experience with JustGiving suggests maybe a PayPal button somewhere might be easier to handle.

 

My guess is that, for now, whilst there may well be background talks going on, EA will be keen to consolidate the purchase of BF Station, to the point where it is at least generating some income.

 

Having proved that crowd funding works with BF would it not be better to support the Trust next and progress the phase 2 extension... let EA continue their quiet negotiations out of the camera..

 

A good point - but there are supporters of the railway who prefer to support EA and might be unlikely to directly support L&BR trust....

 

It's not the same money.

 

In my experience, crowdfunding seems to work best when there is a specific, easily identified target, and a short deadline, as was the case with Long Acre. Other schemes may be more appropriate for building up a purchase fund over several years without a specific property in mind. There are various funding opportunities available on the L&B websites, and no doubt more will be added as opportunities arise.

 

I wonder if there might be some landowners who will only be willing to sell when there is the definite prospect of their piece of land actually becoming railway rather than losing control over it earlier than necessary.