Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

Chelfham Viaduct open days are now on the L&B website: https://www.lynton-rail.co.uk/news/view/chelfham-viaduct-open-weekend-17-18th-may

 

As it is almost Eurovision, L&B Trust nu points

 

Bu**er, I thought it was going all the way to Torrington on a mixed gauge bridge for the reinstated Ilfracombe line. My bad.

 

It should. It also gives a great deal to think about in terms of how ENPA consider applications, and what they may or may not give support to.

I also found the comments of opponents interesting. What struck me was the depth of knowledge and experience they brought to discussions, and hence the quality of evidence required to successfully rebut their concerns - and where the application clearly failed to hit the mark.

Unlike some, I don’t conclude that Parracombe is unachievable. There were clear steers as to what might successfully thread the eye of the needle. But that requires absolute rigour in the submissions, and in the supporting information. It also requires credibility, and opponents will challenge that credibility - as we saw. That means dealing with economic analysis properly, dealing with drainage questions properly, and seriously engaging with the precise meaning of the National Park’s policy on reinstatement.

A period of reflection is absolutely required, to allow proper consideration of what might be possible, and what not. A rapid turnaround based on one more heave will not work.

As an aside, I root my views in the law as it is, and planning policies as they are. Not as I might wish them to be. I actually share the views of @RailWest on some of the specifics - but they are the rules as laid out.